Confectioneries
Altoids Wintergreen
1.76 oz
Score
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 30
Altoids Wintergreen scores 30 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 14 points Sugars 100 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better hard candy and mints
-
Mints Wintergreen Rouses Markets · 1.76 oz No synthetic dyes · Less sugar Score 64 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Altoids Arctic Curiously Cool Mints Altoids · 1.2 oz/34 g Less sugar · No added sugars Score 50 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Altoids strawberry Altoids · 1.2 oz/34 g No synthetic dyes · Not ultra-processed Score 42 out of 100 , 12 points higher -
Wintergreen Flavored Mints, Wintergreen Gold Emblem · 6.25 oz/177 g No synthetic dyes · No Blue 1 Score 42 out of 100 , 12 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Altoids Wintergreen
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Blue 1 minus 7.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 2.5 points
- Gum arabic (acacia) minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 100 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Energy 714 kcal / 100 g minus 4 points
100 − 70.5 = 29.5 → 30
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 714 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 100 g |
| Sugars | 100 g |
| Added sugars | 90 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 3 PIECES (2 g)
Ingredients
- SUGAR (high concern)
- NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS
- GUM ARABIC
- GELATIN
- COLOR (BLUE 1) (not recognized)
Label text, as published
SUGAR, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, GUM ARABIC, GELATIN, COLOR (BLUE 1).
Allergens and diets
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes
“FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—by the end of 2027.”
fda.gov
-
California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition
“beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply (press release)
“Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.”
fda.gov
-
“Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”
doi.org