Gummy bears
Black Forest Gummy Bears
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Seed-oil free
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 12
Black Forest Gummy Bears 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.
Better gummy and chewy candy
-
Fruity Gummy Bears Smart Sweets · 5.3 oz Less sugar · No added sugars Score 66 out of 100 , 54 points higher -
Gummy Bears Kiss My Keto · 0.79 oz/22.5 g Less sugar · No added sugars Score 53 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Cinnamon Bears Smart Sweets Less sugar · No added sugars Score 61 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Protein Soda Gummy Bear Sparkle Joyburst · 12 fl oz Less sugar · No added sugars Score 63 out of 100 , 51 points higher -
Mini Gummy Bears Ferrara · 3 0Z/85 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 67 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Gummy Bears
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Fruit juice concentrate (sweetener) 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 48.4 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Energy 323 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
100 − 88.5 = 11.5 → 12
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). [5]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 323 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 74.2 g |
| Sugars | 48.4 g |
| Protein | 3.2 g |
| Salt | 0.3 g |
Serving: 10 pieces (31 g)
Ingredients
- sugar (high concern)
- corn syrup (high concern)
- apple juice concentrate (high concern)
- water
- gelatin
- citric acid
- pectin
- sodium citrate
- coconut oil
- natural flavors
- fruit and vegetable juice color
- carnuba wax (not recognized)
- spirulina extract color
- tumeric extract color (not recognized)
- beta-carotine color (not recognized)
Label text, as published
sugar, corn syrup, apple juice concentrate, water, gelatin, citric acid, pectin, sodium citrate, coconut oil, natural flavors, fruit and vegetable juice color, carnuba wax, spirulina extract color, tumeric extract color, beta-carotine color
Allergens and diets
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More gummy bears on GoodSwap
-
Organic Gummy Bears Black Forest · 52 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 16 out of 100 Bad -
Goldbears Haribo · 5 oz Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 10 out of 100 Bad -
Ultimate 8 flavor gummi bears Albanese · 7.75 oz/219 g Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 16 out of 100 Bad -
Gummy Bears Albanese · 1.02 kg Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 13 out of 100 Bad -
Super sour gushers General Mills · 4.25 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 5 out of 100 Bad -
12 Flavor Gummi Bears Albanese · 100 g Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 13 out of 100 Bad
More from Black Forest
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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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