Maltesers product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Maltesers Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Mars Wrigley

Maltesers is a dessert from Mars Wrigley. It has a Zerotox safety score of 60/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.

The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Palm Fat.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

Maltesers contain several processed ingredients like glucose syrup and palm fat, which raise quality concerns. The presence of emulsifiers and raising agents indicates a highly processed composition.

Main concern

Includes glucose syrup, a highly processed sweetener that raises concerns about sugar content.

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 cocoa butter, which is a natural fat derived from cocoa beans, contributing to texture.
  • Whey permeate and whey powder provide dairy content, enhancing flavor and texture.

Concerns

  • Includes glucose syrup, a highly processed sweetener that raises concerns about sugar content.
  • Palm fat and palm kernel fat are used, which are associated with environmental concerns.

Who should avoid this product?

This dessert may not be the best fit for:

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

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 overall sweetness of Maltesers but raises 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?

    Medium

    Skimmed Milk Powder is used here as base. Skimmed milk powder is a dairy product used for creaminess and flavor, but its processing raises some quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: skimmed milk powder

    Read the full ingredient profile for Skimmed Milk Powder

  • Is Cocoa Butter safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Cocoa Butter is used here as base. Cocoa butter is a natural fat from cocoa beans, providing a smooth texture and rich flavor, indicating a higher quality ingredient.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: cocoa butter

    Read the full ingredient profile for Cocoa Butter

  • Is Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener that can contribute to high sugar levels and raises health concerns.

    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 is made from ground cocoa beans, providing rich chocolate flavor and quality, indicating a good ingredient.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: cocoa mass

    Read the full ingredient profile for Cocoa Mass

  • Is Palm Fat safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Palm Fat is used here as base. Palm fat is a processed fat that raises environmental concerns due to its production methods.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: palm 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 enhances flavor but is a processed ingredient with some 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 Soya Lecithin safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Soya Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soya lecithin is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients but is a processed additive with mixed quality implications.

    Role in formula: emulsifier

    Original: emulsifiers (soya lecithin, E492)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Soya Lecithin

  • Is Palm Kernel Fat safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Palm Kernel Fat is used here as base. Palm kernel fat is a processed fat associated with environmental concerns, impacting the overall quality.

    Role in formula: base

    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 processed and may raise gluten-related concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: wheat flour

  • Is E341 safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    E341 is used here as raising agent. E341 is a phosphate-based raising agent that can be synthetic, raising concerns about processed additives.

    Role in formula: raising agent

    Original: raising agents (E341, E501, E500)

    Read the full ingredient profile for E341

  • Is E501 safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    E501 is used here as raising agent. E501 is a potassium-based raising agent that may raise concerns due to its synthetic nature.

    Role in formula: raising agent

    Original: raising agents (E341, E501, E500)

    Read the full ingredient profile for E501

  • Is E500 safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    E500 is used here as raising agent. E500 is a sodium-based raising agent that is synthetic, contributing to concerns about processed ingredients.

    Role in formula: raising agent

    Original: raising agents (E341, E501, E500)

    Read the full ingredient profile for E500

  • Is Wheat Gluten safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Wheat gluten provides elasticity but is a processed ingredient that may raise gluten-related 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 enhances flavor and texture but is a processed dairy ingredient with some quality concerns.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: whey powder

    Read the full ingredient profile for Whey Powder

  • Is Salt safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is a natural mineral that enhances flavor and is generally safe in moderation, contributing positively to the product.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: salt

    Read the full ingredient profile for Salt

  • Is Pectins safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Pectins is used here as glazing agent. Pectins are natural gelling agents used for glazing, but their processing raises some quality concerns.

    Role in formula: glazing agent

    Original: glazing agent (pectins)

    Read the full ingredient profile for Pectins

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: 3925436

More from this brand: Mars Wrigley 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

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.
Mars Wrigley — Maltesers has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More Mars Wrigley products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Maltesers contain several processed ingredients like glucose syrup and palm fat, which raise quality concerns. The presence of emulsifiers and raising agents indicates a highly processed composition. 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.
This product is flagged for: Includes glucose syrup, a highly processed sweetener that raises concerns about sugar content.; Palm fat and palm kernel fat are used, which are associated with environmental concerns.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above.
Browse Mars Wrigley products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis and safety scores.
Our analysis indicates animal-derived ingredients may be present in this product. See the Ingredients section and the label for details.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: cocoa butter, cocoa mass, salt. See the Ingredients section above.
Our analysis notes: Contains cocoa butter, which is a natural fat derived from cocoa beans, contributing to texture.; Whey permeate and whey powder provide dairy content, enhancing flavor and texture.. See the Pros section above.
We detected: milk, wheat. If you have allergies, check the label and the Ingredients section above.
Mars Wrigley — 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.