Gummy bears
Albanese Ultimate 8 flavor gummi bears
7.75 oz/219 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 16
Albanese Ultimate 8 flavor gummi bears scores 16 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
-
Fruity Gummy Bears Smart Sweets · 5.3 oz Less sugar · No added sugars Score 66 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Cinnamon Bears Smart Sweets Less sugar · No added sugars Score 61 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Gummy Bears Kiss My Keto · 0.79 oz/22.5 g Less sugar · No added sugars Score 53 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Mini Gummy Bears Ferrara · 3 0Z/85 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 63 points higher -
Protein Soda Gummy Bear Sparkle Joyburst · 12 fl oz Less sugar · No added sugars Score 63 out of 100 , 47 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Ultimate 8 flavor gummi bears
Ingredients
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Pectin minus 1.5 points
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) minus 1.5 points
- Canola oil minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 40.6 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Energy 312 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 84.5 = 15.5 → 16
Can’t score above 79. Contains corn syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 312 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68.8 g |
| Sugars | 40.6 g |
| Added sugars | 40.6 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 3.1 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 9 pieces (32 g)
Ingredients
- CORN SYRUP (high concern)
- SUGAR (high concern)
- WATER
- GELATIN
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- CITRIC ACID
- LACTIC ACID
- JUICE CONCENTRATES (MANGO, APPLE, PINEAPPLE, PEAR, CRANBERRY, BLACKBERRY, ORANGE, RED RASPBERRY) (not recognized)
- PECTIN
- COLORS (FROM FRUITS, VEGETABLES, SPIRULINA, CURCUMIN) (not recognized)
- VEGETABLE OIL (COCONUT, CANOLA)
Label text, as published
CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, WATER, GELATIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, JUICE CONCENTRATES (MANGO, APPLE, PINEAPPLE, PEAR, CRANBERRY, BLACKBERRY, ORANGE, RED RASPBERRY), PECTIN, COLORS (FROM FRUITS, VEGETABLES, SPIRULINA, AND CURCUMIN), VEGETABLE OIL* (COCONUT, CANOLA) AND CARNAUBA LEAF WAX.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Tree nuts
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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
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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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
“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