Fruit Chews and Bite Size Candies

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Fruit Chews and Bite Size Candies scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Modified Starches (Modified Corn Starch): Chemical modification is a hallmark of UPF.
• Artificial Colors (Yellow 5 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Blue 1 Lake, Yellow 6, Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Red 40, Blue 1): Synthetic colors are definitive UPF markers.
• Processed Meats (Gelatin): Mechanically separated and reformed meats are UPF markers.
• Other Additives (Carnauba Wax): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

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 Fruit Chews and Bite Size Candies' 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: Skittles Original - Sugar, Starburst Original And Favereds - Starburst Original Made Of: Sugar, Starburst Favereds Made Of: Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Less Than 2% Of: Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil; Less Than 2% Of Citric Acid, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil; Less Than 2% Of: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Sodium Citrate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.