Russell Stover, Bites Candy, Pomegranate

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

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

• Artificial Flavors (Vanilla (An Artificial Flavor)}): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Benzoate): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Processed Fruit Products (Chocolate Processed With Alkali): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Pectin): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.

Within Chocolate, this product is more processed than about 67% of the 9,618 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 Russell Stover, Bites Candy, Pomegranate's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Other AdditivesUPF marker

In this product: Confectioner'S Glaze, Sodium Acetate.

Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Consist Of Dark Chocolate {Sugar, Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid, Sorbic Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Kernel Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Natural ColorsProcessing indicator

In this product: Carmine Color, Colors (Blue 1, Yellow 6, Red 40).

Natural sources but still indicate processing.