Maltesers product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Maltesers Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Mars Food

Maltesers is one of the dessert products analyzed by Zerotox for Mars Food. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.

The sections below explain why ingredients like Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Emulsifiers affect the overall evaluation.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

Maltesers contain sugar and skimmed milk powder, but also include several processed ingredients like glucose syrup and emulsifiers. This mix raises quality concerns due to synthetic additives.

Main concern

High sugar content raises 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

  • Contains skimmed milk powder, providing some dairy content.
  • Vegetarian-friendly, suitable for those avoiding meat.

Concerns

  • High sugar content raises concerns about excessive sweetness.
  • Includes emulsifiers like E492, which are synthetic and may raise quality issues.

Who should avoid this product?

This product may be less suitable for:

  • people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
  • people avoiding animal-derived ingredients

Ingredients breakdown

Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this dessert.

  • Is Sugar safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sweetness of Maltesers, raising concerns about excessive sugar intake.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Sugar

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sugar

  • Is Skimmed Milk Powder safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Skimmed Milk Powder is used here as base. Skimmed milk powder adds dairy content and flavor, contributing positively to the product's composition.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: skimmed milk powder

    Read the full ingredient profile for Skimmed Milk Powder

  • Is Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a processed sweetener that increases the product's sugar content, raising concerns about its health implications.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: glucose syrup

    Read the full ingredient profile for Glucose Syrup

  • Is Barley Malt Extract safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Barley Malt Extract is used here as flavor. Barley malt extract adds flavor and sweetness but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: barley malt extract

    Read the full ingredient profile for Barley Malt Extract

  • Is Cocoa Mass safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Cocoa Mass is used here as base. Cocoa mass provides chocolate flavor and is a natural ingredient, contributing positively to the product's quality.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: cocoa mass

    Read the full ingredient profile for Cocoa Mass

  • Is Palm Fat safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Palm Fat is used here as emulsifier. Palm fat is used for texture and stability but raises concerns due to its processed nature and environmental impact.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: pam fat

    Read the full ingredient profile for Palm Fat

  • Is Whey Permeate safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Whey Permeate is used here as base. Whey permeate is a dairy byproduct that adds flavor but is a processed ingredient, which may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: whey permeate (milk)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Whey Permeate

  • Is Milk Fat safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Milk Fat is used here as base. Milk fat contributes to creaminess and flavor but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: milk fat

  • Is Emulsifiers safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Emulsifiers is used here as emulsifier. Emulsifiers like E492 are synthetic additives that help maintain texture but raise concerns about processed ingredients.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: emulsifiers (scra lecithin, E492)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Emulsifiers

  • Is Palm Kernel Fat safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Palm Kernel Fat is used here as emulsifier. Palm kernel fat is used for texture but raises concerns due to its processed nature and environmental impact.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: palm kernel fat

    Read the full ingredient profile for Palm Kernel Fat

  • Is Wheat Flour safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Wheat Flour is used here as base. Wheat flour is a common ingredient that provides structure but is a processed grain that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: wheat four

  • Is Raising Agents safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Raising Agents is used here as leavening agent. Raising agents like E341, E501, and E500 are synthetic additives that help with texture but raise concerns about processed ingredients.

    Role in formula: leavening agent

    Original: raising agents (E341, E501, E500)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Raising Agents

  • Is Wheat Gluten safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Wheat gluten adds texture but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: wheat gluten

    Read the full ingredient profile for Wheat Gluten

  • Is Whey Powder safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Whey Powder is used here as base. Whey powder adds protein and flavor but is a processed dairy ingredient that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: whey powder (milk)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Whey Powder

  • Is Salt safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and is a natural ingredient, contributing positively to the product's composition.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: salt

    Read the full ingredient profile for Salt

  • Is Glazing Agent safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Glazing Agent is used here as coating. Pectins are used as a glazing agent to improve appearance but are processed ingredients that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: coating

    Original: glazing agent (pectins)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Glazing Agent

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: 3925437

More from this brand: Mars Food products in Zerotox

Similar products: dessert 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.

Frequently asked questions

This product is flagged for: High sugar content raises concerns about excessive sweetness.; Includes emulsifiers like E492, which are synthetic and may raise quality issues.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
Our analysis indicates animal-derived ingredients may be present in this product. See the Ingredients section and the label for details.
Maltesers contain sugar and skimmed milk powder, but also include several processed ingredients like glucose syrup and emulsifiers. This mix raises quality concerns due to synthetic additives. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
We detected: milk, wheat. If you have allergies, check the label and the Ingredients section above.
Browse dessert products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
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.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
Mars Food — Maltesers has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among dessert products. See the full breakdown above.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
Mars Food — Maltesers has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 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.
Browse Mars Food products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis and safety scores.
Our analysis notes: Contains skimmed milk powder, providing some dairy content.; Vegetarian-friendly, suitable for those avoiding meat.. See the Pros section above.

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