Candies
Mike and Ike Mega Mix
120 g
Score
- Dye with an EU warning label
- Contains synthetic dyes
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains artificial flavors
- Seed-oil free
Why it scores 10
Mike and Ike Mega Mix scores 10 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
-
Black forest mix Tesco No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 100 out of 100 , 90 points higher -
Juicy Berry Mix Candy Ice Chips Candy · 50 g/1.76 oz No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 73 out of 100 , 63 points higher -
Giant candy mix No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 73 out of 100 , 63 points higher -
FRUiT RiOT! sour pineapple TROPICAL mix Sour Patch Kids · 8 oz No EU warning-label dyes · No synthetic dyes Score 34 out of 100 , 24 points higher -
Tropical Mix Gummies CannaAid · 4 gummies Less sugar · No artificial flavors Score 25 out of 100 , 15 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Mike and Ike Mega Mix
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Yellow 5 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 60 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Energy 367 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
100 − 90 = 10
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][11]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 367 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 90 g |
| Sugars | 60 g |
| Added sugars | 60 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 30g
Ingredients
- Sugar (high concern)
- corn syrup (high concern)
- modified food starch
- fumaric acid
- natural flavors
- artificial flavors
- sodium citrate
- dextrin
- citric acid
- malic acid
- confectioners glaze
- carnauba wax
- medium chain triglycerides
- yellow #5 (tartrazine) (high concern)
- red #40 (high concern)
- blue #1 (moderate concern)
- yellow #6 (high concern)
Label text, as published
Sugar, corn syrup, modified food starch, fumaric acid, natural flavors, artificial flavors, sodium citrate, dextrin, citric acid, malic acid, confectioners glaze, carnauba wax, medium chain triglycerides, yellow #5 (tartrazine), red #40, blue #1, yellow #6.
Allergens and diets
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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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
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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
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
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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
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21 CFR 74.705 FD&C Yellow No. 5
“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
-
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
-
“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