Marshmallows product image with 60/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Marshmallows Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Target Corporation

This page reviews Marshmallows by Target Corporation as a food. 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: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Dextrose.

60 / 100

Moderate quality

Why score is 60

The composition includes corn syrup and sugar as primary sweeteners, along with modified corn starch and gelatin. These ingredients indicate a processed product with moderate quality concerns.

Main concern

Corn syrup and sugar are high in simple carbohydrates, raising 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

  • Natural flavors are included, which can enhance the overall taste profile without synthetic additives.
  • Gelatin provides a unique texture, contributing to the characteristic chewiness of marshmallows.

Concerns

  • Corn syrup and sugar are high in simple carbohydrates, raising concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health impacts.
  • Modified corn starch is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns due to its alteration from its natural state.

Who should avoid this product?

You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:

  • people avoiding animal-derived ingredients

Ingredients breakdown

The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this food and why it matters.

  • Is Corn Syrup safe in this food?

    Bad

    Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the product's high sugar content, raising concerns about excessive sweetness.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: CORN SYRUP

    Read the full ingredient profile for Corn Syrup

  • Is Sugar safe in this food?

    Bad

    Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that adds sweetness but can lead to health issues when consumed in excess, indicating a processed nature.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: SUGAR

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sugar

  • Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this food?

    Medium

    Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used for texture and stability but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.

    Role in formula: thickener

    Original: MODIFED CORN STARCH

  • Is Gelatin safe in this food?

    Good

    Gelatin is used here as base. Gelatin is a natural protein that provides structure and chewiness, contributing positively to the texture of marshmallows.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: GELATIN

    Read the full ingredient profile for Gelatin

  • Is Water safe in this food?

    Good

    Water is used here as base. Water is a fundamental ingredient that serves as a solvent, essential for the overall composition of the product.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: WATER

    Read the full ingredient profile for Water

  • Is Dextrose safe in this food?

    Bad

    Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that adds sweetness but contributes to the overall sugar content, raising health concerns.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: DEXTROSE

    Read the full ingredient profile for Dextrose

  • Is Natural Flavors safe in this food?

    Medium

    Natural Flavors is used here as flavor. Natural flavors enhance taste but can be vague in origin, raising some concerns about the specific sources used.

    Role in formula: flavor

    Original: NATURAL FLAVORS

    Read the full ingredient profile for Natural Flavors

  • Is Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate safe in this food?

    Bad

    Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate is used here as stabilizer. Tetrasodium pyrophosphate is a synthetic stabilizer that may raise concerns due to its processed nature and potential health implications.

    Role in formula: stabilizer

    Original: TETRASODIUM PYROPHISPHATE

    Read the full ingredient profile for Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate

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: 3332032

More from this brand: Target Corporation products in Zerotox

Similar products: food 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

Zerotox gives Target Corporation — Marshmallows 60 / 100 based on ingredients. Ultra-processed foods often have many additives; see the breakdown above. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
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.
Our analysis indicates animal-derived ingredients may be present in this product. See the Ingredients section and the label for details.
Our analysis notes: Natural flavors are included, which can enhance the overall taste profile without synthetic additives.; Gelatin provides a unique texture, contributing to the characteristic chewiness of marshmallows.. See the Pros section above.
Target Corporation — Marshmallows has a Zerotox score of 60 / 100 among food products. See the full breakdown above.
The composition includes corn syrup and sugar as primary sweeteners, along with modified corn starch and gelatin. These ingredients indicate a processed product with moderate quality concerns. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Target Corporation — Marshmallows has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More Target Corporation products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Target Corporation — Marshmallows has a Zerotox safety score of 60 / 100. Higher scores mean fewer concerning additives. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Check the Ingredients section above. Zerotox flags preservatives, colours and other additives; see the full list.
Browse food products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis.
Target Corporation — Marshmallows 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.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.

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