Is Hy Vee Essentially You Red Berries Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Hyvee
Hyvee's Hy Vee Essentially You Red Berries is reviewed here as a cereal. Zerotox gives it 60/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Sodium Ascorbate.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sugar and corn syrup, which are processed sweeteners, raising concerns about added sugars. However, whole grain wheat and freeze-dried strawberries provide some nutritional benefits.
Main concern
Sugar and corn syrup are added sweeteners, raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.
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
- Whole grain wheat contributes dietary fiber, supporting digestive health.
- Freeze-dried strawberries offer natural fruit flavor and some vitamins.
- Contains vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and iron, enhancing nutritional value.
Concerns
- Sugar and corn syrup are added sweeteners, raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.
- Presence of sodium ascorbate as a synthetic form of vitamin C may indicate processing.
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this cereal, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Rice safe in this cereal?
Good
Rice is used here as base. Rice serves as a primary ingredient, providing carbohydrates and energy. It is minimally processed and generally safe.
Role in formula: base
Original: Rice
-
Is Whole Grain Wheat safe in this cereal?
Good
Whole Grain Wheat is used here as base. Whole grain wheat adds dietary fiber and essential nutrients, promoting digestive health and providing sustained energy.
Role in formula: base
Original: whole grain wheat
-
Is Sugar safe in this cereal?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that enhances flavor but raises concerns about excessive consumption and potential health impacts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Wheat Bran safe in this cereal?
Good
Wheat Bran is used here as base. Wheat bran is a source of dietary fiber, aiding in digestion and contributing to overall health.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat bran
-
Is Freeze Dried Strawberries safe in this cereal?
Good
Freeze Dried Strawberries is used here as flavor. Freeze-dried strawberries provide natural fruit flavor and retain some vitamins, enhancing the product's appeal.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: freeze dried strawberries
Read the full ingredient profile for Freeze Dried Strawberries
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this cereal?
Medium
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a processed sweetener that can contribute to excessive sugar intake, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
-
Is Soluble Wheat Fiber safe in this cereal?
Medium
Soluble Wheat Fiber is used here as fiber. Soluble wheat fiber is added for its fiber content, which can aid digestion but may be processed.
Role in formula: fiber
Original: soluble wheat fiber
-
Is Salt safe in this cereal?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt is used for flavor enhancement and is safe in moderate amounts, contributing to overall taste.
Role in formula: base
Original: salt
-
Is Malted Barley Syrup safe in this cereal?
Medium
Malted Barley Syrup is used here as sweetener. Malted barley syrup adds sweetness and flavor but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: malted barley syrup
-
Is Sodium Ascorbate safe in this cereal?
Bad
Sodium Ascorbate is used here as preservative. Sodium ascorbate is a synthetic form of vitamin C used as a preservative, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium ascorbate (vitamin c)
-
Is Reduced Iron safe in this cereal?
Medium
Reduced Iron is used here as fortificant. Reduced iron is added for fortification, providing essential minerals but is a processed form.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: reduced iron
-
Is Niacinamide safe in this cereal?
Medium
Niacinamide is used here as fortificant. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 used for fortification, contributing to nutritional value but is synthetic.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: niacinamide
-
Is Alpha Tocopherol Acetate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Alpha Tocopherol Acetate is used here as fortificant. Alpha tocopherol acetate is a synthetic form of vitamin E, used for fortification but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: alpha tocopherol acetate (vitamin e)
Read the full ingredient profile for Alpha Tocopherol Acetate
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Is Pyridoxine Hydrochloride safe in this cereal?
Medium
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is used here as fortificant. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a synthetic form of vitamin B6, contributing to nutritional value but is processed.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamiin b6)
Read the full ingredient profile for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
-
Is Vitamin A Palmitate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin A Palmitate is used here as fortificant. Vitamin A palmitate is a synthetic form of vitamin A used for fortification, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin a palmitate
-
Is Riboflavin safe in this cereal?
Medium
Riboflavin is used here as fortificant. Riboflavin is a synthetic form of vitamin B2 used for fortification, contributing to nutritional value but is processed.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: riboflavin (vitamin b2)
-
Is Thiamin Mononitrate safe in this cereal?
Medium
Thiamin Mononitrate is used here as fortificant. Thiamin mononitrate is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 used for fortification, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: thiamin mononitrate (vitamin b1)
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Is Folic Acid safe in this cereal?
Medium
Folic Acid is used here as fortificant. Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 used for fortification, contributing to nutritional value but is processed.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: folic acid
-
Is Vitamin B12 safe in this cereal?
Medium
Vitamin B12 is used here as fortificant. Vitamin B12 is often added in synthetic form for fortification, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: fortificant
Original: vitamin b12
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: 3299417
More from this brand: Hyvee products in Zerotox
Similar products: cereal in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.