Is Skittles Bite Size Candies Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Mars Wrigley Confectionery
This page reviews Skittles Bite Size Candies by Mars Wrigley Confectionery as a dessert. Its current score is 30/100, suggesting that it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition of Skittles includes several synthetic additives such as artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1) and hydrogenated palm kernel oil, raising significant quality concerns. These ingredients indicate a highly processed product with potential health implications.
Main concern
High sugar content raises concerns about excessive sweetness and 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 citric acid, which provides tartness and enhances flavor.
- Carnauba wax is used for coating, providing a shiny appearance.
Concerns
- High sugar content raises concerns about excessive sweetness and potential health risks.
- Hydrogenated palm kernel oil is a processed fat that may pose health risks.
- Multiple artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5) raise safety concerns due to potential links to hyperactivity.
- Modified corn starch is a processed ingredient that may not be well-received by health-conscious consumers.
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 Sugar safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sweetness of Skittles but raises concerns about excessive consumption and related health issues.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
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Is Corn Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a processed sweetener that adds to the sugar content, raising concerns about its impact on health and potential overconsumption.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
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Is Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil is used here as emulsifier. Hydrogenated palm kernel oil is a processed fat that can contain trans fats, raising health concerns related to heart disease and overall dietary quality.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: hydrogenated palm kernel oil
Read the full ingredient profile for Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
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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, contributing positively to the product's overall quality.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
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Is Tapioca Dextrin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Tapioca Dextrin is used here as thickener. Tapioca dextrin is a processed thickener that helps improve texture but may not be well-regarded by those seeking natural ingredients.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: tapioca dextrin
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Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this dessert?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is a processed ingredient used for texture improvement, raising concerns about its processing and potential health implications.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified corn starch
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Is Natural And Artificial Flavors safe in this dessert?
Bad
Natural And Artificial Flavors is used here as flavor. Natural and artificial flavors are vague terms that can include various synthetic compounds, raising concerns about the quality and safety of flavoring agents used.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural and artificial flavors
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural And Artificial Flavors
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Is Sodium Citrate safe in this dessert?
Medium
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is used to regulate acidity but is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean eating principles.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: sodium citrate
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Is Carnauba Wax safe in this dessert?
Good
Carnauba Wax is used here as coating. Carnauba wax is a natural plant-based wax used for coating, providing a shiny finish without significant health concerns.
Role in formula: coating
Original: carnauba wax
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Is Colors Red 40 Lake Titanium Dioxide Red 40 Yellow 5 Lake Yellow 5 Yellow 6 Lake Yellow 6 Blue 2 Lake Blue 1 Blue 1 Lake safe in this dessert?
Bad
Colors Red 40 Lake Titanium Dioxide Red 40 Yellow 5 Lake Yellow 5 Yellow 6 Lake Yellow 6 Blue 2 Lake Blue 1 Blue 1 Lake is used here as colorant. The presence of multiple artificial colors raises safety concerns, particularly regarding potential links to hyperactivity and other health issues.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: colors (red 40 lake, titanium dioxide, red 40, yellow 5 lake, yellow 5, yellow 6 lake, yellow 6, blue 2 lake, blue 1, blue 1 lake)
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: 2397327
More from this brand: Mars Wrigley Confectionery products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
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