Is Superman Gummy Hearts Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Hilco Corporation
This page reviews Superman Gummy Hearts by Hilco Corporation 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: Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Artificial Flavor.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes glucose syrup and sugar as primary sweeteners, along with artificial colors and flavors. These synthetic additives raise significant quality and safety concerns.
Main concern
High levels of glucose 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 pectin, a natural gelling agent that can provide a better texture.
- Gelatin is used for its gelling properties, contributing to the chewy texture.
Concerns
- High levels of glucose syrup and sugar indicate excessive sweetness and potential health concerns.
- Artificial color (FD&C Red No. 40) raises concerns due to its synthetic nature and potential health implications.
- Presence of artificial flavor suggests reliance on synthetic additives rather than natural flavors.
- Palm oil inclusion raises sustainability concerns related to its production.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- 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 Glucose Syrup safe in this dessert?
Bad
Glucose Syrup is used here as sweetener. Glucose syrup is a highly processed sweetener derived from starch, contributing to high sugar content and potential health risks.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glucose syrup
-
Is Sugar safe in this dessert?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a refined sweetener that can lead to various health issues when consumed in excess, raising concerns about overall composition.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sugar
-
Is Water safe in this dessert?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent in this product, essential for achieving the desired consistency and texture.
Role in formula: base
Original: water
-
Is Gelatin safe in this dessert?
Medium
Gelatin is used here as base. Gelatin is a protein derived from animal sources, used for its gelling properties, but raises concerns for vegetarians and vegans.
Role in formula: base
Original: gelatin
-
Is Citric Acid safe in this dessert?
Good
Citric Acid is used here as acidulant. Citric acid is a natural preservative and flavor enhancer, providing tartness and helping to balance sweetness in the product.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: citric acid
-
Is Pectin safe in this dessert?
Good
Pectin is used here as stabilizer. Pectin is a natural thickening agent derived from fruits, contributing to the texture and stability of gummy candies.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: pectin
-
Is Malic Acid safe in this dessert?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is a natural acid that enhances flavor but can be synthetic in some formulations, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: malic acid
-
Is Artificial Flavor safe in this dessert?
Bad
Artificial Flavor is used here as flavor. Artificial flavoring is a synthetic additive that can mask the absence of natural flavors, raising concerns about quality.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: artificial flavor
-
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 synthetic compound that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: sodium citrate
-
Is Palm Oil safe in this dessert?
Bad
Palm Oil is used here as base. Palm oil is a highly processed fat associated with environmental concerns due to deforestation and habitat destruction.
Role in formula: base
Original: palm oil
-
Is Artificial Color Fd C Red No 40 safe in this dessert?
Bad
Artificial Color Fd C Red No 40 is used here as colorant. FD&C Red No. 40 is a synthetic dye linked to various health concerns, including hyperactivity in children, raising safety issues.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: artificial color (fd&c red no. 40)
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: 3327592
More from this brand: Hilco Corporation products in Zerotox
Similar products: dessert in Zerotox database
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