Is M&S Fruit Granola Squares Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Marks Spencer
This page reviews M&S Fruit Granola Squares by Marks Spencer as a snack. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Golden Syrup, Black Treacle.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes oats and seeds, which are beneficial, but also contains sugar and dried milk, raising concerns about processed ingredients. The presence of sodium bicarbonate as a raising agent adds to the processed nature of the product.
Main concern
Sugar and golden syrup are significant sources of added sugars, raising concerns about excessive sweetness.
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
- Oats provide a good source of fiber, contributing positively to the overall composition.
- Sunflower and pumpkin seeds add nutritional value, offering healthy fats and minerals.
- Sultanas and sweetened dried cranberries contribute natural sweetness and some vitamins.
- Fortification with calcium and iron enhances the nutritional profile.
Concerns
- Sugar and golden syrup are significant sources of added sugars, raising concerns about excessive sweetness.
- Dried skimmed milk may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
- The use of sodium bicarbonate indicates a processed ingredient, which may not align with clean eating preferences.
- Black treacle adds additional sugars, further increasing the overall sugar content.
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 snack and why it matters.
-
Is Oats safe in this snack?
Good
Oats is used here as base. Oats are a whole grain that provide dietary fiber, which can aid digestion and promote satiety. Their inclusion supports a healthier snack option.
Role in formula: base
Original: Oats (30%)
-
Is Butter safe in this snack?
Medium
Butter is used here as base. Butter is a dairy fat that adds flavor and texture but is high in saturated fat, which may raise health concerns if consumed in excess.
Role in formula: base
Original: Butter (Milk)
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is an added sweetener that contributes to the overall sugar content, raising concerns about potential health impacts when consumed in large amounts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Sultanas safe in this snack?
Good
Sultanas is used here as flavor. Sultanas are dried grapes that provide natural sweetness and some vitamins, contributing positively to the snack's flavor profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sultanas (8%)
-
Is Golden Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Golden Syrup is used here as sweetener. Golden syrup is an invert sugar syrup that adds sweetness but also increases the overall sugar content, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Golden Syrup (Invert Sugar Syrup)
-
Is Cornflour safe in this snack?
Medium
Cornflour is used here as thickener. Cornflour is a processed ingredient used as a thickener, which may not align with clean eating preferences due to its processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Cornflour
-
Is Sunflower Seeds safe in this snack?
Good
Sunflower Seeds is used here as base. Sunflower seeds are a source of healthy fats, protein, and vitamins, contributing positively to the nutritional value of the snack.
Role in formula: base
Original: Sunflower Seeds (5%)
-
Is Pumpkin Seeds safe in this snack?
Good
Pumpkin Seeds is used here as base. Pumpkin seeds provide healthy fats, protein, and minerals, enhancing the overall nutritional profile of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pumpkin Seeds (5%)
-
Is Sweetened Dried Cranberries safe in this snack?
Medium
Sweetened Dried Cranberries is used here as flavor. Sweetened dried cranberries add flavor and some vitamins but also contribute additional sugars, raising concerns about sugar content.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Sweetened Dried Cranberries (4.5%) (Cranberries Sugar)
Read the full ingredient profile for Sweetened Dried Cranberries
-
Is Dried Skimmed Milk safe in this snack?
Medium
Dried Skimmed Milk is used here as base. Dried skimmed milk adds protein and calcium but may not be suitable for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies.
Role in formula: base
Original: Dried Skimmed Milk
-
Is Black Treacle safe in this snack?
Bad
Black Treacle is used here as sweetener. Black treacle is a form of sugar that adds sweetness and flavor but increases the overall sugar content, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Black Treacle
-
Is Sodium Bicarbonate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Bicarbonate is used here as raising agent. Sodium bicarbonate is used as a raising agent in baked goods, but its presence indicates a processed ingredient, which may not align with clean eating.
Role in formula: raising agent
Original: Raising Agent: Sodium Bicarbonate
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but should be consumed in moderation. Its presence is common in many snack products.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour is a common ingredient in baked goods, providing structure but also contributing to gluten content, which may be a concern for some.
Role in formula: base
Original: Wheatflour*
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: 3574391
More from this brand: Marks Spencer products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.