Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Jolly Rancher Fruit Chews by Jolly rancher DUMP — score 17/90.

Sugar and corn syrup are the top two ingredients, dyed with four artificial colors. This is engineered candy, not fruit.

Why this verdict

• Sugar is the #1 ingredient, corn syrup #2 - back-to-back fast sugar
• Four artificial colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, Yellow 6)
• Palm oil refined fat plus gelatin and emulsifiers for chew
• Zero real fruit despite the 'fruit chews' name
• Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) - empty calories built for craving

Ingredients (14)

• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Corn Syrup (caution) — Added sugar baked into the crust.
• Palm Oil (moderate) — Saturated-fat-heavy oil used in the crust.
• malic acid (safe) — Tartness, contributes the sour note.
• gelatin (moderate) — Animal-derived binder for the frosting; makes the product non-vegetarian.
• Natural and Artificial Flavor (moderate) — Added flavor system, including artificial flavor.
• GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE (moderate) — Emulsifier that keeps the fat and sugar blended smoothly - a processing aid.
• red 40 (avoid) — Artificial petroleum-derived dye with no purpose in a brown chocolate product; a decisive negative.
• yellow 5 (avoid) — Artificial dye linked to sensitivity in some people; unnecessary here.
• blue 1 (avoid) — Artificial dye used to tune color; no nutritional role.
• yellow 6 (avoid) — Synthetic azo dye used purely for color.
• SULFUR DIOXIDE (moderate) — A preservative that keeps dried fruit orange and prevents spoilage. Generally safe, but can trigger reactions in sulfite-sensitive people and asthmatics.
• cornstarch (moderate) — Refined starch filler for crunch and shape.
• Soy Lecithin (safe) — Common emulsifier, generally benign in these amounts.