Extruded cereals
Aldi Marshmallows & Stars
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 9
Aldi Marshmallows & Stars scores 9 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 marshmallows
-
Protein Treats Marshmallow Magic Spoon Less sugar · No added sugars Score 62 out of 100 , 53 points higher -
S'Mallows Marshmallow Spread Choc Zero Less sugar · No added sugars Score 72 out of 100 , 63 points higher -
Zero Sugar Max Mallow Max Mallow · 96 g Less sugar · No added sugars Score 67 out of 100 , 58 points higher -
Crispy Bar - Marshmallow ProT Edge · 1.63 oz Less sugar · No added sugars Score 52 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Max Mallow Max Mallow · 3.4 oz/96 g Less sugar · No added sugars Score 67 out of 100 , 58 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Marshmallows & Stars
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Dextrose 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 38.9 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Salt 1.3 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 389 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 5.6 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 91.5 = 8.5 → 9
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). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 389 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4.2 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 83.3 g |
| Sugars | 38.9 g |
| Added sugars | 34.3 g |
| Fiber | 5.6 g |
| Protein | 8.3 g |
| Salt | 1.3 g |
Ingredients
- whole grain oat flour
- sugar (high concern)
- corn syrup (high concern)
- modified corn starch
- cornstarch
- dextrose (high concern)
- salt
- gelatinous (not recognized)
- collared with (black carrot juice concentrate, beet extract, spirulina extract, oleoresin turmeric, blueberry juice concentrate, beta carotene) (not recognized)
- trisodium phosphate
- natural flavour
- mixed tocopherols added to preserve freshness
Label text, as published
whole grain oat flour, sugar, corn syrup, modified corn starch, cornstarch, dextrose, salt, gelatinous, collared with (black carrot juice concentrate, beet extract, spirulina extract, oleoresin turmeric, blueberry juice concentrate, beta carotene), trisodium phosphate, natural flavour, mixed tocopherols added to preserve freshness,
Allergens and diets
Contains: Gluten
- Not gluten-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More extruded cereals on GoodSwap
-
Cheerios General Mills · 8.9 oz Contains added sugarsContains whole grains Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Honey Nut Cheerios General Mills · 10.8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 17 out of 100 Bad -
Shredded Wheat Post · 18 oz Contains whole grains Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Strawberry Banana Cheerios Cheerios · 14.9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarHigh in saltContains added sugars Score 13 out of 100 Bad -
Shredded Wheat Original Signature Select · 16.4 oz/464 g Contains whole grains Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Kellogs froot loops box Kellogs Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in sugar Score 6 out of 100 Bad
More from Aldi
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
-
“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
-
“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