Is Nicks Chocolate Brownie Safe? Ingredient Analysis
N-ck-s
Nicks Chocolate Brownie is one of the snack products analyzed by Zerotox for N-ck-s. 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 Modified Starch, Carrageenan, Sugar Color affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several sweeteners like erythritol and xylitol, which are low-calorie but raise concerns about synthetic additives. The presence of modified starch and stabilizers indicates a processed product.
Main concern
Contains multiple sweeteners, which may raise concerns about synthetic additives and digestive issues.
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 powder, providing a rich chocolate flavor that enhances the overall taste.
- Uses gluten-free flour blends, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Includes vegetable oils like coconut and shea, which can offer some beneficial fats.
- Erythritol and xylitol are low-calorie sweeteners, contributing to lower sugar content.
Concerns
- Contains multiple sweeteners, which may raise concerns about synthetic additives and digestive issues.
- Modified starch is present, indicating processing that may affect ingredient quality.
- Stabilizers like carrageenan have been linked to digestive concerns in some individuals.
- The use of humectant (vegetable glycerol) suggests additional processing, which may lower overall quality.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this snack.
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Is Skim Milk Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Skim Milk Concentrate is used here as base. Skim milk concentrate adds creaminess and protein but is processed, which may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Skim milk concentrate
-
Is Polydextrose safe in this snack?
Medium
Polydextrose is used here as sweetener. Polydextrose is a synthetic fiber used as a sweetener and bulking agent, raising concerns about its processing.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: polydextrose
-
Is Milk Protein safe in this snack?
Good
Milk Protein is used here as base. Milk protein contributes to the product's protein content and texture, indicating a beneficial ingredient.
Role in formula: base
Original: milk protein
-
Is Erythritol safe in this snack?
Good
Erythritol is used here as sweetener. Erythritol is a low-calorie sweetener that does not raise blood sugar levels, making it a safer alternative to sugar.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sweetener (erythritol)
-
Is Xylitol safe in this snack?
Good
Xylitol is used here as sweetener. Xylitol is another low-calorie sweetener that can help reduce dental cavities, though it may cause digestive issues in some.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sweetener (xylitol)
-
Is Cocoa Powder safe in this snack?
Good
Cocoa Powder is used here as flavor. Cocoa powder provides a rich chocolate flavor and contains antioxidants, contributing positively to the product's profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: cocoa powder
-
Is Soluble Corn Fiber safe in this snack?
Medium
Soluble Corn Fiber is used here as thickener. Soluble corn fiber is used for texture and fiber content but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: soluble corn fiber
-
Is Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Vegetable oils like coconut and shea provide fats but are processed, which may affect overall quality.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil (coconut, shea)
-
Is Sorbitol safe in this snack?
Medium
Sorbitol is used here as sweetener. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener, which can cause digestive discomfort in some individuals.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sweetener (sorbitol)
-
Is Gluten Free Flour safe in this snack?
Good
Gluten Free Flour is used here as base. The gluten-free flour blend (oat, corn, rice) makes this product suitable for gluten-sensitive consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: gluten free flour (oat, corn, rice)
-
Is Vegetable Glycerol safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Glycerol is used here as humectant. Vegetable glycerol acts as a humectant to retain moisture but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: humectant (vegetable glycerol)
-
Is Butter safe in this snack?
Good
Butter is used here as base. Butter adds flavor and richness, contributing positively to the product's overall taste profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: butter (milk)
-
Is Modified Starch safe in this snack?
Bad
Modified Starch is used here as thickener. Modified starch is a processed ingredient used for texture but raises concerns about its quality and processing.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified starch
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and balances sweetness, contributing positively to the overall taste.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: salt
-
Is Carob Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Carob Gum is used here as stabilizer. Carob gum is a natural thickener and stabilizer, but its processing may raise some quality concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: stabilizers (carob gum, guar gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum)
-
Is Guar Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Guar Gum is used here as stabilizer. Guar gum is a natural thickener that helps improve texture but is processed, which may affect quality.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: stabilizers (carob gum, guar gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum)
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as stabilizer. Carrageenan is a controversial thickener linked to digestive issues, raising significant quality concerns.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: stabilizers (carob gum, guar gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum)
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as stabilizer. Xanthan gum is a common thickener that can improve texture but is processed, which may lower quality.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: stabilizers (carob gum, guar gum, carrageenan, xanthan gum)
-
Is Natural Flavouring safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavouring is used here as flavor. Natural flavoring enhances taste but can be vague in terms of specific ingredients, raising some concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavouring
-
Is Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Mono And Diglycerides Of Fatty Acids is used here as emulsifier. These emulsifiers help blend ingredients but are processed, which may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: emulsifier (vegetable mono - and diglycerides of fatty acids)
-
Is Steviol Glycosides safe in this snack?
Good
Steviol Glycosides is used here as sweetener. Steviol glycosides are natural sweeteners derived from stevia, providing a low-calorie alternative to sugar.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sweetener (steviol glycosides)
-
Is Sugar Color safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar Color is used here as colorant. Sugar color is an artificial colorant that raises concerns about synthetic additives and processing.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: color (sugar color)
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: 4060940
More from this brand: N-ck-s products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack 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.