Is Reese's Pieces Bark Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Reese's
This page reviews Reese's Pieces Bark by Reese's as a dessert. Its current score is 45/100, suggesting that it shows multiple flagged ingredients that may matter for sensitive users.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Artificial Color, Vanillin.
45 / 100
Why score is 45
The composition includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (Yellow 6 Lake, Red 40 Lake) and hydrogenated vegetable oil, raising significant quality concerns. The presence of multiple processed ingredients indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
Artificial colors like Yellow 6 Lake and Red 40 Lake raise concerns about synthetic additives.
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 milk chocolate, which provides a familiar flavor profile and texture.
- Includes peanuts, adding a source of protein and a crunchy texture.
Concerns
- Artificial colors like Yellow 6 Lake and Red 40 Lake raise concerns about synthetic additives.
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil indicates the presence of trans fats, which are linked to health risks.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this dessert and why it matters.
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Is Milk Chocolate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Milk Chocolate is used here as base. Milk chocolate is a sweetened chocolate product that provides flavor and texture. However, it contains sugar and other processed ingredients, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: MILK CHOCOLATE (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, MILK, COCOA BUTTER, SKIM MILK, MILK FAT, LECITHIN (SOY), PGPR, NATURAL FLAVOR)
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Is Peanuts safe in this dessert?
Good
Peanuts is used here as base. Peanuts are a natural source of protein and healthy fats, contributing positively to the product's nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: PEANUTS
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is used for sweetness but is a refined ingredient that can contribute to health issues when consumed in excess.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: SUGAR
-
Is Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Hydrogenated vegetable oil is a processed fat that can contain trans fats, which are associated with negative health effects.
Role in formula: base
Original: HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (PALM KERNEL OIL, SOYBEAN OIL)
Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil
-
Is Artificial Color safe in this dessert?
Bad
Artificial Color is used here as colorant. Artificial colors like Yellow 6 Lake and Red 40 Lake are synthetic additives that may pose health concerns and are linked to hyperactivity in children.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: ARTIFICIAL COLOR (INCLUDING YELLOW 6 LAKE, YELLOW 5 LAKE, RED 40 LAKE, BLUE 1 LAKE)
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Is Salt safe in this dessert?
Medium
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor but can contribute to health issues when consumed in excess, especially in processed foods.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: SALT
-
Is Vanillin safe in this dessert?
Bad
Vanillin is used here as flavor. Vanillin is an artificial flavoring agent that may not provide the same quality as natural vanilla, raising concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: VANILLIN (ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR)
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: 2423129
More from this brand: Reese's products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: peanut
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.