Nerds Candy - Rainbow
Processing
4
Ultra-processed
Group 4 of 4 on the NOVA scale
Additives listed
8
3 we grade moderate or higher
5 of them not yet assessed here
Sugars per 100g
92.31g
High
UK FSA front of pack threshold
Three separate readings, kept apart on purpose. This is not a score, and none of it says this product is harmful.
Additives (8)
This label lists 5 colours, 1 acidity regulator, 1 glazing agent and 1 thickener or gelling agent.
E102
Tartrazine
Yellow colour
What it is. A synthetic lemon yellow dye.
Why it is used. Colours soft drinks, sweets, sauces and snacks.
What the evidence says. One of the Southampton Six colours linked in a 2007 UK study to increased hyperactivity in some children. The effect is modest and does not affect every child, but it was enough for a mandatory on pack warning.
UK and EU require the label to warn it may affect activity and attention in children. Permitted in the US without that warning.
Assessed against UK FSA, EFSA. Full entry for E102
E110
Sunset Yellow FCF
Orange-yellow colour
What it is. A synthetic orange yellow dye.
Why it is used. Colours squashes, sweets, snacks and desserts.
What the evidence says. Also one of the Southampton Six, carrying the same signal for hyperactivity in sensitive children.
UK and EU require the children's activity warning. Permitted in the US.
Assessed against UK FSA, EFSA. Full entry for E110
E129
Allura Red AC
Red colour
What it is. A synthetic red dye, sometimes labelled Red 40 in the US.
Why it is used. Colours sweets, drinks, cereals and baked goods.
What the evidence says. Another Southampton Six colour. Beyond the hyperactivity signal, some newer animal research on gut inflammation has renewed interest, though that is early and not settled in humans.
Children's activity warning in the UK and EU. In the US it remains permitted, though several states have moved to restrict synthetic dyes in school food.
Assessed against UK FSA, EFSA, US FDA. Full entry for E129
Also on the label, not assessed here yet
- E132 Indigotine, indigo carmine colour
- E133 Brilliant blue FCF colour
- E296 Malic acid acidity regulator
- E414 Acacia gum (gum arabic) thickener
- E903 Carnauba wax glazing agent
Names and jobs come from the register of additives permitted in Great Britain, which we have not finished transcribing: a code shown without a name is a gap in our coverage, not a finding that it is unapproved. Naming one is not grading it either. Full detail appears only where we have an assessment against a named authority, so all of this describes our coverage rather than these additives. Most are common and low concern.
Ingredients
DEXTROSE, SUGAR, MALIC ACID, CORN SYRUP, NATURAL FLAVORS, CARNAUBA WAX, COLOR ADDED, CARMINE COLOR, BLUE 1 LAKE, BLUE 1, BLUE 2 LAKE, RED 40 LAKE, YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 5, YELLOW 6, GUM ACACIA
As printed on the pack, in the producer's own order: ingredients are listed by weight, so what comes first is most of what is in it. E numbers link to their assessment where we have one.