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Ice Breakers Duo Fruit + Cool Strawberry
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Hard candies

Ice Breakers Duo Fruit + Cool Strawberry

1.3 oz (36 g)

Poor out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Dye with an EU warning label
  • Contains synthetic dyes
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains sugar alcohols
  • Contains seed oils
  • Contains palm oil
  • Contains artificial flavors
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Why it scores 22

Ice Breakers Duo Fruit + Cool Strawberry scores 22 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Aspartame: Labels must warn people with phenylketonuria (PKU) because aspartame contains phenylalanine (US and EU). Regulatory
  2. Red 40: In the EU and UK, foods with this color must state that it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children". Regulatory
  3. 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.

Better hard candy and mints

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Duo Fruit + Cool Strawberry

START100

Ingredients

  • Aspartame
    Regulatory Labels must warn people with phenylketonuria (PKU) because aspartame contains phenylalanine (US and EU). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
  • Red 40
    Regulatory In the EU and UK, foods with this color must state that it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children". [10][11][12][13][14][15]
  • Blue 1
    Regulatory The FDA is working with industry to remove six petroleum-based dyes from US food by the end of 2027; California bans them in school meals from December 31, 2027. [13][14]
  • Sorbitol
    Regulatory Large amounts can have a laxative effect; the EU requires a label statement above 10% added polyols and the US for some polyols above set intakes. [16][17]
  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
subtotal−50

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [18]
  • 9 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), emulsifier, flavoring, industrial fat, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, modified starch, non-nutritive sweetener, sugar alcohol (polyol) and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [18]
subtotal−26

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Energy 455 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [9]
subtotal−2
TOTAL 22Poor

100 − 78 = 22

Can’t score above 79. Contains aspartame, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

GTIN 00034000006656 · 2026-08-04

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy455 kcal
Fat0 g
Carbohydrates90.9 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Protein0 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 1 mint (1.1 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

SORBITOL, MALTODEXTRIN, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: MALIC ACID, MAGNESIUM STEARATE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, MALTITOL, ASPARTAME*, CITRIC ACID, MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN OIL, COTTONSEED OIL, &/OR PALM OIL), ARTIFICIAL COLOR (RED 40 LAKE, RED 40, BLUE 1), GUM ACACIA, LECITHIN (SOY).

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Paper, Pp 5 polypropylene

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest hard candies in the US

More from Ice Breakers

Sources

  1. 21 CFR 172.804 Aspartame

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Mar 24, 2023 · Law

    “PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE”

    ecfr.gov

  2. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.3 (aspartame)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘contains a source of phenylalanine’ shall appear on the label in cases where aspartame/aspartame-acesulfame salt is designated in the list of ingredients by its specific name.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  3. Aspartame hazard and risk assessment results released (IARC, WHO and FAO joint news release)

    World Health Organization · Jul 14, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “Citing “limited evidence” for carcinogenicity in humans, IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (IARC Group 2B) and JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight.”

    who.int

  4. Carcinogenicity of aspartame, methyleugenol, and isoeugenol (IARC Monographs Vol. 134 working group summary)

    The Lancet Oncology · August 2023 · IARC

    doi.org

  5. Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Feb 27, 2025 · Regulator

    “The FDA disagrees with IARC’s conclusion that these studies support classifying aspartame as a possible carcinogen to humans.”

    fda.gov

  6. EFSA completes full risk assessment on aspartame and concludes it is safe at current levels of exposure

    European Food Safety Authority · Dec 10, 2013 · Agency assessment

    “Aspartame and its breakdown products are safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure”

    efsa.europa.eu

  7. Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study

    PLOS Medicine · Mar 24, 2022 · Peer-reviewed

    “In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”

    doi.org

  8. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”

    who.int

  9. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  10. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of 16 December 2008 on food additives

    European Union (Official Journal) · Dec 16, 2008 · Law

    “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  11. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (as it applies in the UK), Annex V: food colours requiring additional labelling

    legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Law

    “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

    legislation.gov.uk

  12. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

    The Lancet · November 2007 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  13. Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “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

  14. California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition

    California Legislative Information · Sep 28, 2024 · Law

    “beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”

    leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

  15. List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Jul 29, 2026 · Regulator

    “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

  16. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  17. 21 CFR 184.1835 Sorbitol

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ““Excess consumption may have a laxative effect.””

    ecfr.gov

  18. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  19. HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply (press release)

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Apr 22, 2025 · Regulator

    “Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.”

    fda.gov

  20. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  21. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  22. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”

    doi.org

  23. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  24. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  25. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu