Pico-Balla product image with 45/100 Zerotox safety score

Is Pico-Balla Safe? Ingredient Analysis

Haribo

Pico-Balla is a dessert from Haribo. It has a Zerotox safety score of 45/100, which means it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.

The main ingredients worth reviewing are Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Dextrose.

45 / 100

Low quality

Why score is 45

The composition includes several synthetic additives like carrageenan and artificial colors, which raise quality and safety concerns. The presence of sugar and glucose syrup further indicates a highly processed product.

Main concern

Carrageenan is a gelling agent that raises concerns due to its potential digestive issues and is considered a synthetic additive.

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 fruit and plant concentrates like apple and blackcurrant, which may provide some natural flavor.
  • Includes citric acid and malic acid, which can enhance the tartness and balance sweetness.

Concerns

  • Carrageenan is a gelling agent that raises concerns due to its potential digestive issues and is considered a synthetic additive.
  • Presence of artificial colors like curcumin and copper complexes of chlorophyll raises quality concerns due to their synthetic nature.

Who should avoid this product?

This dessert may not be the best fit for:

  • people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity

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 high sugar content of the product, raising health concerns.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Zucker

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sugar

  • Is Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a processed sweetener derived from starch, contributing to high sugar levels and potential health risks.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Glukosesirup

    Read the full ingredient profile for Glucose Syrup

  • Is Sorbitol safe in this dessert?

    Medium

    Sorbitol is used here as humectant. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a humectant, which helps retain moisture but can cause digestive discomfort in some individuals.

    Role in formula: humectant

    Original: Sorbit

    Read the full ingredient profile for Sorbitol

  • 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 may raise concerns for those with gluten sensitivities.

    Role in formula: base

    Original: Weizenmehl

  • Is Dextrose safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Dextrose is used here as sweetener. Dextrose is a simple sugar that can spike blood sugar levels, contributing to the product's overall high sugar content.

    Role in formula: sweetener

    Original: Dextrose

    Read the full ingredient profile for Dextrose

  • Is Palm Fat safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Palm Fat is used here as fat. Palm fat is a highly processed fat that raises environmental and health concerns due to its saturated fat content.

    Role in formula: fat

    Original: Palmfett

    Read the full ingredient profile for Palm Fat

  • Is Citric Acid safe in this dessert?

    Good

    Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural acid that enhances flavor and acts as a preservative, generally considered safe in moderation.

    Role in formula: acidulant

    Original: Citronensäure

    Read the full ingredient profile for Citric Acid

  • Is Carrageenan safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Carrageenan is used here as gelling agent. Carrageenan is a gelling agent derived from seaweed, associated with digestive issues and considered a synthetic additive.

    Role in formula: gelling agent

    Original: Geliermittel: Carrageen

    Read the full ingredient profile for Carrageenan

  • Is Artificial Colors safe in this dessert?

    Bad

    Artificial Colors is used here as colorant. The use of artificial colors raises concerns about synthetic additives and their potential health effects.

    Role in formula: colorant

    Original: Farbstoffe: Kurkumin, Kupferkomplexe der Chlorophylline

    Read the full ingredient profile for Artificial Colors

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: 3805992

More from this brand: Haribo products in Zerotox

Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database

Allergens detected: 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.
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.
This product includes positive or neutral ingredients such as: citric acid. See the Ingredients section above.
Based on our data we do not detect fragrance in this product's listed ingredients. Formulations can change; check the label.
Main concerns for this product: Carrageenan is a gelling agent that raises concerns due to its potential digestive issues and is considered a synthetic additive.; Presence of artificial colors like curcumin and copper complexes of chlorophyll raises quality concerns due to their synthetic nature.. See the full list above.
Haribo — Pico-Balla has a Zerotox safety score of 45 / 100. Check the ingredient breakdown above. More Haribo products. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
This product scores 45 / 100 mainly because of: Carrageenan is a gelling agent that raises concerns due to its potential digestive issues and is considered a synthetic additive.; Presence of artificial colors like curcumin and copper complexes of chlorophyll raises quality concerns due to their synthetic nature.. See the Concerns and Ingredients sections above. Scores are informational only and do not constitute professional advice; always read the label and consult a qualified professional.
Our analysis notes: Contains fruit and plant concentrates like apple and blackcurrant, which may provide some natural flavor.; Includes citric acid and malic acid, which can enhance the tartness and balance sweetness.. See the Pros section above.
We do not detect parabens in this product's listed ingredients. Always check the label as formulations change.
Haribo — Pico-Balla has a Zerotox score of 45 / 100 among dessert products. See the full breakdown above.
Browse Haribo products on Zerotox with ingredient analysis and safety scores.
Haribo — Pico-Balla has a Zerotox safety score of 45 / 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.

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