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Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Cooking helpers

Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix

1.5 oz

Bad out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Dye with an EU warning label
  • Contains synthetic dyes
  • High in salt
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
  • Contains artificial flavors
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Why it scores 14

Jell-O Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix scores 14 out of 100 (Bad) 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. Yellow 5: 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, estimated): No NOVA group on file; estimated from 7 kinds of ultra-processing markers. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better pudding and gelatin

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

The Receipt

Vanilla Instant Pudding Mix

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]
  • Yellow 5
    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]
  • Yellow 6
    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]
subtotal−50

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4, estimated)
    Strong No NOVA group on file; estimated from 7 kinds of ultra-processing markers. [16]
  • 7 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), emulsifier, flavoring, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, modified starch, non-nutritive sweetener and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [16]
subtotal−26

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 9.7 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [17]
  • Energy 312 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [9]
subtotal−10
TOTAL 14Bad

100 − 86 = 14

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][18][19][20][21][22]

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [23]

GTIN 00043000205822 · 2026-07-26

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy312 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates75 g
Sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt9.7 g

Serving: 0.167 package (7 g)

Ingredients

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

MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, CORN MALTODEXTRIN, TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE AND DISODIUM PHOSPHATE (FOR THICKENING), CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SALT, CALCIUM SULFATE, XANTHAN GUM, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES (PREVENTS FOAMING), ASPARTAME AND ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (SWEETENERS), TETRAPOTASSIUM PYROPHOSPHATE, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, BHA (PRESERVATIVE).

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest cooking helpers in the US

More from Jell-O

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. 21 CFR 74.705 FD&C Yellow No. 5

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 29, 2016 · Law

    “shall specifically declare the presence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 by listing the color additive as FD&C Yellow No. 5 among the list of ingredients.”

    ecfr.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  17. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “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

  18. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  19. Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity

    California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) · Jul 31, 2026 · Law

    “The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”

    oehha.ca.gov

  20. Report on Carcinogens, 15th Edition: Butylated Hydroxyanisole

    U.S. National Toxicology Program · Dec 21, 2021 · Agency assessment

    “Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.”

    ntp.niehs.nih.gov

  21. 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

  22. Statement on the safety assessment of the exposure to butylated hydroxyanisole E 320 (BHA) by applying a new exposure assessment methodology

    European Food Safety Authority · Jul 24, 2012 · Agency assessment

    “The Panel concluded that exposure to BHA from its use as food additive based on new exposure estimates does not exceed the ADI of 1 mg/kg bw/day at the mean”

    doi.org

  23. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  24. 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

  25. Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome

    Nature · Mar 5, 2015 · Peer-reviewed

    “carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”

    doi.org

  26. Randomized Controlled-Feeding Study of Dietary Emulsifier Carboxymethylcellulose Reveals Detrimental Impacts on the Gut Microbiota and Metabolome

    Gastroenterology · March 2022 · Peer-reviewed

    “Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”

    doi.org

  27. Food additive emulsifiers and risk of cardiovascular disease in the NutriNet-Santé cohort: prospective cohort study

    BMJ · Sep 6, 2023 · Peer-reviewed

    “This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”

    doi.org