Candy Twists

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Candy Twists scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Food Starch (Corn)): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Red 40): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Hawaiian Punch Concentrate (Concentrated Juices (Apple, Clarified Pineapple, Passionfruit, Orange), Water, Citric Acid, And Less Than 2% Of Fruit Purees (Apricot, Papaya, Guava), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Pectin, Acacia Gum, Ester Gum, Red 40, Blue 1, Sodium Benzoate)): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Soy Mono & Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Glycerine): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Candy, this product is more processed than about 32% of the 21,778 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Candy Twists' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Malic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Ascorbic Acid.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.