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GOURMET FRIGHTFETTI POPCORN

MARKETSIDE · 0/100 · Not approved

8 not-approved ingredients detected; 7 banned in at least one country

What we flagged

IngredientVerdictWhy
Sugar (Refined) Caution Refined sucrose, typically from sugarcane or sugar beet; minimally processed but a refined sweetener.
Natural Flavor Caution Regulatory category that allows solvent extraction and undisclosed processing aids. Lack of transparency.
Corn Syrup Caution Refined glucose syrup from corn starch.
Canola Oil Not approved Bred from rapeseed; refined with hexane and high heat. Sometimes labeled "rapeseed oil".
Soy Lecithin Caution Hexane-extracted from soybeans unless labeled non-GMO/organic.
Maltodextrin Caution Highly processed starch derivative with a glycemic index higher than table sugar.
Artificial Flavors Not approved Undisclosed synthetic flavoring compounds.
Red 3 (Erythrosine) Not approved Banned from US food (Jan 2025) and cosmetics (1990) after rat studies linked it to thyroid tumors.
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) Not approved Synthetic triarylmethane dye; was banned in France, Norway and Finland until 2008 EU harmonization.
Artificial Flavor Not approved Undisclosed synthetic flavoring compounds; no transparency about composition.
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Not approved Synthetic azo dye associated with hyperactivity in sensitive children; mandatory warning label in the EU.
Modified Food Starch Not approved Industrially modified starch (chemical, enzymatic, or physical processing — label rarely specifies which). Common GMO source (corn/wheat/tapioca), and several modification agents (propylene oxide, sodium hydroxide) are flagged in EU regulatory reviews. Editorial position: not what we'd stock.
Red 40 (Allura Red AC) Not approved Synthetic azo dye linked in studies to hyperactivity in children. Mandatory warning label in the EU.
Caramel Color (generic) Caution Without a Class number, manufacturer-disclosed type is unknown; Class III/IV variants (most common in colas) contain 4-MeI, a California Prop 65 carcinogen.

How the score was reached

100 − 50×8 − 10×6 − 5×0 = 0

ReasonPointsDetail
Canola Oil -50 Bred from rapeseed; refined with hexane and high heat. Sometimes labeled "rapeseed oil".
Artificial Flavors -50 Undisclosed synthetic flavoring compounds.
Red 3 (Erythrosine) -50 Banned from US food (Jan 2025) and cosmetics (1990) after rat studies linked it to thyroid tumors.
Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) -50 Synthetic triarylmethane dye; was banned in France, Norway and Finland until 2008 EU harmonization.
Artificial Flavor -50 Undisclosed synthetic flavoring compounds; no transparency about composition.
Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) -50 Synthetic azo dye associated with hyperactivity in sensitive children; mandatory warning label in the EU.
Modified Food Starch -50 Industrially modified starch (chemical, enzymatic, or physical processing — label rarely specifies which). Common GMO source (corn/wheat/tapioca), and several modification agents (propylene oxide, sodium hydroxide) are flagged in EU regulatory reviews. Editorial position: not what we'd stock.
Red 40 (Allura Red AC) -50 Synthetic azo dye linked in studies to hyperactivity in children. Mandatory warning label in the EU.
Sugar (Refined) -10 Refined sucrose, typically from sugarcane or sugar beet; minimally processed but a refined sweetener.
Natural Flavor -10 Regulatory category that allows solvent extraction and undisclosed processing aids. Lack of transparency.
Corn Syrup -10 Refined glucose syrup from corn starch.
Soy Lecithin -10 Hexane-extracted from soybeans unless labeled non-GMO/organic.
Maltodextrin -10 Highly processed starch derivative with a glycemic index higher than table sugar.
Caramel Color (generic) -10 Without a Class number, manufacturer-disclosed type is unknown; Class III/IV variants (most common in colas) contain 4-MeI, a California Prop 65 carcinogen.

Ingredients

white chocolate flavored candy coatingSugar (Refined)vegetable oil [palm kernelpalm oil]Whole Milkwhey powder [milk]dry buttermilklactose [milk]soy lecithin [an emulsifier]Natural FlavorpopcornCorn SyrupCanola OilSoy Lecithinan emulsifierMaltodextrinArtificial FlavorsRed 3 (Erythrosine)gum arabicBlue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)Malic AcidArtificial FlavorYellow 5 (Tartrazine)silicon dioxide [anticaking agent]potassium benzoate [preservative]SaltCitric AcidModified Food StarchRed 40 (Allura Red AC)propylene glycolCaramel Color (generic)

Diets this fits

VegetarianPescatarianGluten-free

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Educational information, not medical or dietary advice. Scores reflect what the label states, checked against our published rules. Labels change — always read the product’s own packaging.