Confectioneries
Twizzlers Strawberry Twists
5 oz (141 g)
Score
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains palm oil
- Contains artificial flavors
- Seed-oil free
Why it scores 9
Twizzlers Strawberry Twists scores 9 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- 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
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better gummy and chewy candy
-
Red vines original red twists Red Vines No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 64 out of 100 , 55 points higher -
Mixed Berry Twists Red Vines Made Simple · 4 oz/113 g No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 44 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
AirHeads Xtremes Strawberry small Airheads No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 44 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Yummy earth strawberry pops YumEarth · 3 oz/85 g No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 42 out of 100 , 33 points higher -
Twizzlers strawberry smoothie Twizzlers No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 78 out of 100 , 69 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Twizzlers Strawberry Twists
Ingredients
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Red 40 minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 39.3 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Salt 0.5 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Energy 321 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
100 − 91 = 9
Can’t score above 79. Contains corn syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 321 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 78.6 g |
| Sugars | 39.3 g |
| Added sugars | 39.3 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 3.6 g |
| Salt | 0.5 g |
Serving: 4 pieces (28 g)
Ingredients
- CORN SYRUP (high concern)
- ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR. NIACIN. FERROUS SULFATE. THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID)
- SUGAR (high concern)
- CORNSTARCH
- PALM OIL
- SALT
- ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR
- CITRIC ACID
- MINERAL OIL
- ARTIFICIAL COLOR (RED 40) (high concern)
- LECITHIN (SOY)
Label text, as published
CORN SYRUP, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR. NIACIN. FERROUS SULFATE. THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, CORNSTARCH, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: PALM OIL, SALT, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, MINERAL OIL, ARTIFICIAL COLOR (RED 40), LECITHIN (SOY).
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not gluten-free
- Not palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Plastic
Context only: no points in v1.
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
-
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
-
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
-
“For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”
who.int
-
“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
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu