Cookies
Necco
2 oz
Score
- Not permitted in some countries
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 12
Necco scores 12 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
The Receipt
Necco
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Red 3 minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 89.5 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Energy 386 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
100 − 88.5 = 11.5 → 12
Can’t score above 25. Contains Red 3, whose use in food has been revoked in the US. [4]
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [15]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 386 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 98.3 g |
| Sugars | 89.5 g |
| Added sugars | 89.5 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0 g |
Serving: 1 Roll (57g)
Ingredients
- SUGAR (high concern)
- CORN SYRUP (high concern)
- GELATIN
- NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS
- VEGETABLE GUMS (GUM TRAGACANTH, ARABIC & XANTHAN)
- CHOCOLATE
- CITRIC ACID
- FD&C COLORS YELLOW 5 & 6 (moderate concern)
- BLUE 1 (moderate concern)
- RED 3 (high concern)
- RED 40 (high concern)
Label text, as published
SUGAR, CORN SYRUP, GELATIN, NATURAL & ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, VEGETABLE GUMS (GUM TRAGACANTH, ARABIC & XANTHAN), CHOCOLATE, CITRIC ACID, FD&C COLORS YELLOW 5 & 6, BLUE 1, RED 3, RED 40
Allergens and diets
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
-
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
-
“This order is effective January 15, 2027, except for amendatory instruction 4, which is effective January 18, 2028.”
federalregister.gov
-
“Studies in other animals or in humans did not show the same effect and there is no evidence showing FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in humans.”
fda.gov
-
“E 127 Erythrosine 200 only cocktail cherries and candied cherries”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
California AB 418 (2023), the California Food Safety Act (Health and Safety Code §109025)
“Commencing January 1, 2027, a person or entity shall not manufacture, sell, deliver, distribute, hold, or offer for sale, in commerce a food product for human consumption that contains any of the following substances”
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
-
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of 16 December 2008 on food additives
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
“may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”
legislation.gov.uk
-
“Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
doi.org
-
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
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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
-
List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review
“The table below includes select food ingredients (including food and color additives), food contact substances, and contaminants under FDA review as of May 12, 2026 .”
fda.gov
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“titanium dioxide (E 171) can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
Revocation of Authorization for Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food (89 FR 55040)
“This action is being taken because there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm from the continued use of BVO in food.”
federalregister.gov
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Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products
“cosmetic products shall not contain any of the following: (a) prohibited substances — prohibited substances listed in Annex II”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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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
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“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