Cadbury Gems — DUMP
Munch or Dump rates Cadbury Gems by Cadbury DUMP — score 17/90.
Sugar and hydrogenated oil are the backbone of these candy shells, tinted with eight artificial colors and only 8% cocoa. This is engineered candy dressed up as chocolate.
Why this verdict
- Hydrogenated oils are the #2 ingredient, a source of artery-clogging trans fat
- Sugar is the #1 ingredient with liquid glucose added on top
- Eight artificial colors (tartrazine, sunset yellow, ponceau) tint the shells
- Only 8% cocoa, plus refined maida and three emulsifiers
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) candy built for craving, not nutrition
Ingredients (10)
- Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
- Hydrogenated Oils (harmful) — Source of artery-damaging trans fat; there is no safe level.
- Milk Solids (safe) — Curdled dairy solids — the protein, fat, and calcium of milk. Whole-food base with no processing tricks.
- Cocoa Solids (8%) (safe) — Real cocoa, but at only 8% it is a minor player, not the star.
- Refined Wheat Flour (Maida) (concerning) — Stripped white flour, no fiber, spikes blood sugar; the #1 ingredient
- Emulsifiers (414, 442, 476) (moderate) — Three stacked emulsifiers to hold the coating together; a marker of heavy processing.
- Colours (171, 102, 133, 124, 127, 122, 132, 110) (concerning) — Eight synthetic dyes including tartrazine (102) and sunset yellow (110), linked to hyperactivity concerns in kids and banned or warning-labeled in some countries.
- Glazing Agent (903) (moderate) — Carnauba wax for the shiny shell; cosmetic, not nutritional.
- Liquid glucose (moderate) — A simple syrup adding sweetness and texture.
- Flavours (Natural, Nature Identical and Artificial) (moderate) — Includes artificial caramel and vanilla flavouring substances to mimic chocolate taste.