Jolly Rancher Bites product image with 30/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Jolly Rancher Bites Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Jolly Rancher Bites is a dessert. It has a Zerotox safety score of 30/100, which means it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.

The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sugar, Corn Syrup, Natural Artificial Flavor.

30 / 100

Low quality

Why score is 30

The composition of Jolly Rancher Bites includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1) and carrageenan, raising significant quality concerns. The presence of sugar and corn syrup indicates high processing levels.

Main concern

High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.

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 enriched wheat flour, providing some nutritional value through added vitamins.
  • Includes citric acid, which can enhance flavor and act as a preservative.

Concerns

  • High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.
  • Artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are synthetic additives linked to various health concerns.
  • Carrageenan is a thickener that has raised safety concerns due to potential digestive issues.
  • Vegetable oils, including palm oil, are often criticized for environmental and health reasons.

Who should avoid this product?

This dessert may not be the best fit for:

  • users trying to avoid sulfates

Ingredients breakdown

Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this dessert so the page answers more than a simple label list.

  • Is Sugar safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the product's high sweetness level, raising concerns about excessive consumption.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Sugar

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sugar

  • Is Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a processed sweetener that adds to the overall sugar content, which can lead to health issues if consumed in excess.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Corn Syrup

    Read the full ingredient profile for Corn Syrup

  • Is Enriched Wheat Flour safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Enriched Wheat Flour is used here as base. Enriched wheat flour provides some nutritional benefits through added vitamins but is still a refined ingredient with lower fiber content.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflave, Folic Acid)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Enriched Wheat Flour

  • Is Vegetable Oil safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oil, including palm and soybean oil, is used for texture but raises concerns regarding health impacts and environmental sustainability.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Vegetable Oil (Palm Oil, Palm Kernel Oil, Soybean Oil)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Vegetable Oil

  • Is Citric Acid safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer that can improve the product's taste and shelf life without significant safety concerns.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: Citric Acid

    Read the full ingredient profile for Citric Acid

  • Is Modified Potato Starch safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Modified Potato Starch is used here as thickener. Modified potato starch is used for texture but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about its health implications.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: Modified Potato Starch

    Read the full ingredient profile for Modified Potato Starch

  • Is Glyceryl Monostearate safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Glyceryl Monostearate is used here as emulsifier. Glyceryl monostearate is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients but is a processed additive with mixed safety assessments.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: Glyceryl Monstearate

    Read the full ingredient profile for Glyceryl Monostearate

  • Is Natural Artificial Flavor safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Natural Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural and artificial flavors are vague terms that can include various synthetic compounds, raising concerns about their safety and origin.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Natural & Artificial Flavor

    Read the full ingredient profile for Natural Artificial Flavor

  • Is Sodium Lactate safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Sodium Lactate is used here as preservative. Sodium lactate is used as a preservative but is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean label preferences.

    Role in formula: preservative

    Original: Sodium Lactate

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sodium Lactate

  • Is Tartaric Acid safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Tartaric Acid is used here as acidulant. Tartaric acid is used for acidity and stabilization but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: Tartaric Acid

    Read the full ingredient profile for Tartaric Acid

  • Is Cornstarch safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Cornstarch is used here as thickener. Cornstarch is a common thickener that is processed and may not provide significant nutritional benefits.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: Cornstarch

    Read the full ingredient profile for Cornstarch

  • Is Glycerin Lecithin safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Glycerin Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Glycerin lecithin is an emulsifier that helps maintain texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety assessments.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: Glycerin Lecithin (Soy)

  • Is Salt safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is a common flavor enhancer that can improve taste without significant safety concerns when used in moderation.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: Salt

    Read the full ingredient profile for Salt

  • Is Artificial Color safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Artificial Color is used here as colorant. Artificial colors like Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 are synthetic additives linked to various health concerns, impacting overall quality.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: Artificial Color (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Artificial Color

  • Is Carrageenan safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickener that has raised safety concerns due to potential digestive issues, impacting the product's overall safety profile.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: Carrageenan

    Read the full ingredient profile for Carrageenan

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: 3349777

Similar products: dessert 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.

Frequently asked questions

Browse dessert products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
Main concerns for this product: High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.; Artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are synthetic additives linked to various health concerns.. See the full list above.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: citric acid, salt. See the Ingredients section above.
This product is flagged for: High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.; Artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are synthetic additives linked to various health concerns.; Carrageenan is a thickener that has raised safety concerns due to potential digestive issues.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
Our analysis notes: Contains enriched wheat flour, providing some nutritional value through added vitamins.; Includes citric acid, which can enhance flavor and act as a preservative.. See the Pros section above.
This depends on the ingredient profile. People with sensitive skin or scalp, users avoiding fragrance, sulfates or animal-derived ingredients, and cautious shoppers should review the breakdown above before buying. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product scores 30 / 100 mainly because of: High sugar content from sugar and corn syrup raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.; Artificial colors like Red 40 and Yellow 5 are synthetic additives linked to various health concerns.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Jolly Rancher Bites has a Zerotox score of 30 / 100 among dessert products. See the full breakdown above.
The composition of Jolly Rancher Bites includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1) and carrageenan, raising significant quality concerns. The presence of sugar and corn syrup indicates high processing levels. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Jolly Rancher Bites has a Zerotox safety score of 30 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning ingredients. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.