Is Super Sour Gushers Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Gushers
This page reviews Super Sour Gushers by Gushers as a snack. 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: Corn Syrup, Sugar, Fructose.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes several synthetic additives like sodium citrate and carrageenan, which raise quality concerns. The presence of artificial colors such as Red 40 and Blue 1 further indicates a highly processed product.
Main concern
High levels of corn syrup and sugar indicate excessive sweetness and potential health concerns.
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 pear puree, which adds a fruit component to the product.
- Includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is a common antioxidant.
Concerns
- High levels of corn syrup and sugar indicate excessive sweetness and potential health concerns.
- Carrageenan is included, which has raised safety concerns regarding digestive health.
- Artificial colors like Red 40 and Blue 1 are synthetic and may pose health risks.
- Palm oil is present, which raises sustainability and health concerns.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this snack and why it matters.
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to excessive sugar content, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn Syrup
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a refined sweetener that adds to the high sugar content, which can lead to various health issues.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Pear Puree safe in this snack?
Good
Pear Puree is used here as base. Pear puree provides a natural fruit component, contributing some nutritional value to the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: Pear Puree
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this snack?
Medium
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is used for texture but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns about additives.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Modified Corn Starch
-
Is Fructose safe in this snack?
Bad
Fructose is used here as sweetener. Fructose is a simple sugar that can contribute to high sugar levels and potential metabolic issues.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Fructose
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Medium
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate that can spike blood sugar levels, raising health concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this snack?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is a highly processed fat that raises health and environmental concerns due to its production methods.
Role in formula: base
Original: Palm Oil
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this snack?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer that can help balance sweetness in the product.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Citric Acid
-
Is Cottonseed Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Cottonseed Oil is used here as base. Cottonseed oil is a processed oil that may contain residues from pesticides, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: Cottonseed Oil
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is used to retain moisture but is a synthetic ingredient that may raise concerns about processing.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: Glycerin
-
Is Carrageenan safe in this snack?
Bad
Carrageenan is used here as thickener. Carrageenan is a thickening agent that has been linked to digestive issues, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Carrageenan
-
Is White Grape Juice Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
White Grape Juice Concentrate is used here as sweetener. White grape juice concentrate adds sweetness but is a processed ingredient that may not provide significant benefits.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: White Grape Juice Concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for White Grape Juice Concentrate
-
Is Monoglycerides safe in this snack?
Medium
Monoglycerides is used here as emulsifier. Monoglycerides are used to improve texture but are often derived from processed fats, raising concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Monoglycerides
-
Is Sodium Citrate safe in this snack?
Bad
Sodium Citrate is used here as buffer. Sodium citrate is a synthetic additive used for pH control, which raises concerns about artificial ingredients.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Sodium Citrate
-
Is Malic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is used to enhance flavor but is a synthetic ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: Malic Acid
-
Is Potassium Citrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Potassium Citrate is used here as buffer. Potassium citrate is used for pH balance but is a synthetic additive that may raise safety concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: Potassium Citrate
-
Is Vitamin C safe in this snack?
Good
Vitamin C is used here as antioxidant. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an antioxidant that can help preserve freshness and provide some nutritional value.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
-
Is Agar Agar safe in this snack?
Medium
Agar Agar is used here as thickener. Agar-agar is a plant-based thickener but is often processed, raising concerns about ingredient quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Agar-Agar
-
Is Natural And Artificial Flavor safe in this snack?
Bad
Natural And Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural and artificial flavors are vague terms that can include synthetic compounds, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural and Artificial Flavor
Read the full ingredient profile for Natural And Artificial Flavor
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Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that is generally safe but is a processed ingredient that may raise concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Xanthan Gum
-
Is Color Red 40 Blue 1 safe in this snack?
Bad
Color Red 40 Blue 1 is used here as colorant. Red 40 and Blue 1 are artificial colors linked to various health concerns, indicating a highly processed product.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: Color (red 40, blue 1)
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: 2379392
More from this brand: Gushers 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.