Is Hershey's Milk Duds Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Hershey
This page reviews Hershey's Milk Duds by Hershey as a dessert. Its current score is 40/100, suggesting that it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Vegetable Oil.
40 / 100
Why score is 40
The composition of Hershey's Milk Duds includes several synthetic and processed ingredients such as artificial flavors (vanillin), hydrogenated oils, and multiple sugars. These raise significant quality and safety concerns, indicating a highly processed product with potential health implications.
Main concern
Contains hydrogenated oils, which are associated with health risks due to trans fats.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains milk chocolate, which provides a classic chocolate flavor.
- Includes whey, a dairy protein that can contribute to texture.
Concerns
- Contains hydrogenated oils, which are associated with health risks due to trans fats.
- Includes artificial flavors like vanillin, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
- High sugar content from multiple sources, which can lead to health issues.
- Presence of corn syrup and maltodextrin indicates high processing and potential glycemic impact.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this dessert and why it matters.
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener derived from corn starch. Its high fructose content raises concerns about excessive sugar intake and potential health risks associated with high glycemic index sweeteners.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn syrup
-
Is Milk Chocolate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Milk Chocolate is used here as flavor. Milk chocolate is a combination of sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, lactose, lecithin, and salt. While it provides flavor, the presence of sugar and artificial flavoring raises concerns about overall quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: milk chocolate (sugar, milk, chocolate, cocoa butter, lactose, lecithin [soy, an emulsifier], salt, artificial flavor)
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that contributes to the overall sweetness of the product. Its high content raises concerns about health implications, including obesity and diabetes.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Vegetable Oil is used here as emulsifier. Vegetable oil, particularly hydrogenated palm kernel and coconut oils, are used for texture and stability. However, hydrogenation can create trans fats, which are linked to various health risks.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: vegetable oil (hydrogenated palm kernel oil and/or palm oil, hydrogenated coconut oil)
-
Is Whey safe in this dessert?
Medium
Whey is used here as base. Whey is a dairy protein that contributes to the texture and nutritional profile of the product. While it is a natural ingredient, its presence in a highly processed product raises questions about overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: whey
-
Is Calcium Carbonate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Calcium Carbonate is used here as buffer. Calcium carbonate is used as a calcium source and stabilizer. While it is generally recognized as safe, its presence in a confectionery product indicates processing.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: calcium carbonate
-
Is Skim Milk safe in this dessert?
Medium
Skim Milk is used here as base. Skim milk is a dairy product that adds moisture and flavor. Its inclusion is beneficial, but it is overshadowed by the presence of more concerning ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: skim milk
-
Is Corn Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Corn starch is used as a thickening agent. While it is a common ingredient, its presence in a highly processed product raises concerns about overall quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: corn starch
-
Is Salt safe in this dessert?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and balances sweetness. It is a common ingredient in confectionery products and does not raise significant safety concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Lecithin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Lecithin is an emulsifier derived from soy that helps blend ingredients. While it is a natural ingredient, its presence in a processed product raises questions about overall quality.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: lecithin (soy, an emulsifier)
-
Is Vanillin safe in this dessert?
Bad
Vanillin is used here as flavor. Vanillin is an artificial flavoring agent that mimics the taste of vanilla. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the quality and safety of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: vanillin (artificial flavor)
-
Is Glycerin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is used to retain moisture in the product. While it is generally safe, its presence in a highly processed product raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: glycerin
-
Is Sugar Monoester safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sugar Monoester is used here as emulsifier. Sugar monoester is a synthetic emulsifier that helps stabilize the product. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality and safety of the product.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: sugar monoester
-
Is Sorbitan Monostearate safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sorbitan Monostearate is used here as emulsifier. Sorbitan monostearate is a synthetic emulsifier that aids in texture. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality and safety of the product.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: sorbitan monostearate
-
Is Dextrose safe in this dessert?
Bad
Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that contributes to sweetness. Its high glycemic index raises concerns about potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dextrose
-
Is Gum Arabic safe in this dessert?
Medium
Gum Arabic is used here as thickener. Gum arabic is a natural thickening agent derived from acacia trees. While it is generally safe, its presence in a highly processed product raises questions about overall quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: gum arabic
-
Is Carnauba Wax safe in this dessert?
Medium
Carnauba Wax is used here as coating. Carnauba wax is a natural wax used for coating and shine. While it is a natural ingredient, its presence in a confectionery product indicates processing.
Role in formula: coating
Original: carnauba wax
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this dessert?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a highly processed carbohydrate used as a thickener. Its high glycemic index raises concerns about potential health implications.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: maltodextrin
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this dessert?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a natural thickening agent produced by fermentation. While it is generally safe, its presence in a highly processed product raises questions about overall quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 2356238
More from this brand: Hershey products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.