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HC The Smart Choice Fudge Bars
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Ice cream bars

HC The Smart Choice Fudge Bars

1368 g

Poor out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains sugar alcohols
  • Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
  • May contain traces of 1,4-dioxane
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Why it scores 23

HC The Smart Choice Fudge Bars scores 23 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. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. 9 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, emulsifier, flavoring, humectant, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, non-nutritive sweetener, sugar alcohol (polyol) and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging

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

Better ice cream bars and frozen treats

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

The Receipt

Fudge Bars

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]
  • Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose)
    Strong In a small randomized feeding trial, carboxymethylcellulose modestly increased abdominal discomfort and reduced gut microbiota diversity; in mice it promoted low-grade inflammation. [10][11][12][13]
  • Carrageenan
    Strong In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, higher carrageenan intake was associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes; cause and effect is not established. [14][11][15][16]
  • Polysorbate 80
    Strong In mice, polysorbate 80 altered the gut microbiota and promoted low-grade inflammation and metabolic syndrome; human evidence is limited. [11][17]
  • Soluble corn fiber (resistant dextrin)
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • 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. [19][20]
  • Milk protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • Glycerin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • Vegetable gums (unspecified)
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • Locust bean gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • Mono- and diglycerides
    Strong In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, higher intakes of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471 and E472) were associated with higher cardiovascular risk; cause and effect is not established. [12][21][18]
  • Guar gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • Whey protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [18]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [22][18]
subtotal−46.5

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: bulking agent, emulsifier, flavoring, humectant, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, non-nutritive sweetener, sugar alcohol (polyol) and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [18]
subtotal−26

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 10.5 g / 100 g
    Strong High in sugar. [23]
subtotal−5
TOTAL 23Poor

100 − 77.5 = 22.5 → 23

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

GTIN 00072655409156 · 2026-07-11

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy118 kcal
Fat1.3 g
Saturated fat0.7 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates23.7 g
Sugars10.5 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber2.6 g
Protein5.3 g
Salt0.2 g

Serving: 1 portion (76 g)

Ingredients

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

SKIM MILK, CONDENSED SKIM MILK, POLYDEXTROSE, WHOLE MILK, SORBITOL*, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: GLYCERIN, STABILIZER BLEND (MALTODEXTRIN, WHEY POWDER, CELLULOSE GUM, LOCUST BEAN GUM, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, GUAR GUM, CORN STARCH, CARRAGEENAN, POLYSORBATE 80), WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, ASPARTAME, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, NATURAL FLAVOR.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest ice cream bars in the US

More from HC The Smart Choice

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. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. Re-evaluation of celluloses E 460(i), E 460(ii), E 461, E 462, E 463, E 464, E 465, E 466, E 468 and E 469 as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Jan 16, 2018 · Agency assessment

    “The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses”

    doi.org

  14. Food additive emulsifiers and the risk of type 2 diabetes: analysis of data from the NutriNet-Santé prospective cohort study

    The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology · May 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “We found direct associations between the risk of type 2 diabetes and exposures to various food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods, in a large prospective cohort of French adults.”

    doi.org

  15. Re-evaluation of carrageenan (E 407) and processed Eucheuma seaweed (E 407a) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Apr 26, 2018 · Agency assessment

    “However, the Panel noted uncertainties as regards the chemistry, the exposure assessment and biological and toxicological data.”

    doi.org

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

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  17. Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of polysorbates (E 432–436) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Jul 17, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “There is no concern regarding genotoxicity, carcinogenicity or developmental toxicity.”

    doi.org

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. Re-evaluation of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids (E 471) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Nov 10, 2017 · Agency assessment

    “The available studies did not raise any concern with regard to genotoxicity.”

    doi.org

  22. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  23. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  24. 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

  25. 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

  26. 1,4-Dioxane in Cosmetics: A Manufacturing Byproduct

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “1,4-dioxane forms as a byproduct during the manufacturing process of certain cosmetic ingredients.”

    fda.gov