Is Neon Gel Food Color Set Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Wilton
Wilton's Neon Gel Food Color Set is reviewed here as a food. Zerotox gives it 45/100 based on the current ingredient profile, so it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
The ingredient review below focuses especially on Fd C Red 3, Fd C Blue 1, Fd C Yellow 5.
45 / 100
Why score is 45
The composition includes synthetic colors like FD&C Red #3 and FD&C Yellow #5, along with preservatives such as sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate. These additives raise significant quality and safety concerns.
Main concern
Includes synthetic colorants like FD&C Red #3 and FD&C Yellow #5, which may raise safety concerns due to potential health risks.
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 glycerin, which helps maintain moisture and consistency in food applications.
- Water serves as a base, ensuring the product is easy to mix and use.
Concerns
- Includes synthetic colorants like FD&C Red #3 and FD&C Yellow #5, which may raise safety concerns due to potential health risks.
- Sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are synthetic preservatives that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Ingredients breakdown
Below, each ingredient is described in the context of this food, not just listed as a raw label.
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Is Water safe in this food?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water acts as a solvent in this gel food color, providing a medium for the other ingredients to dissolve and mix effectively.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
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Is Corn Syrup safe in this food?
Medium
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is used to add sweetness and improve texture, but it is a processed ingredient that raises concerns about high sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
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Is Glycerin safe in this food?
Good
Glycerin is used here as base. Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture in the food color, enhancing its usability and shelf life.
Role in formula: base
Original: glycerin
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Is Fd C Red 3 safe in this food?
Bad
Fd C Red 3 is used here as colorant. FD&C Red #3 is a synthetic dye used for coloring, which has been linked to potential health risks and is banned in some countries.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: fd&c red #3
-
Is Fd C Blue 1 safe in this food?
Bad
Fd C Blue 1 is used here as colorant. FD&C Blue #1 is another synthetic dye that may pose health risks, raising concerns about its safety in food products.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: fd&c blue #1
-
Is Fd C Yellow 5 safe in this food?
Bad
Fd C Yellow 5 is used here as colorant. FD&C Yellow #5 is a synthetic colorant associated with allergic reactions and hyperactivity in some individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: fd&c yellow #5
-
Is Food Starch Modified Corn safe in this food?
Medium
Food Starch Modified Corn is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used as a thickening agent, but its processing raises concerns about the quality and safety of the ingredient.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: food starch - modified (corn)
Read the full ingredient profile for Food Starch Modified Corn
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Is Carrageenan safe in this food?
Medium
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent derived from seaweed, but it has been linked to gastrointestinal issues in some individuals.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: carrageeenan
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Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this food?
Bad
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a synthetic preservative that can cause allergic reactions and is associated with potential health risks.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: potassium sorbate
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Is Citric Acid safe in this food?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer that helps maintain acidity and freshness in food products.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
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Is Sodium Benzoate safe in this food?
Bad
Sodium Benzoate is used here as preservative. Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative that can lead to allergic reactions and has been linked to potential health risks.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: sodium benzoate
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: 3266911
More from this brand: Wilton 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.