Love Hearts — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Love Hearts by Swizzels DUMP — score 17/90.

Pressed sugar tablets dressed up as 'natural' — it's pure sugar plus a stack of acids, anti-caking agents and modified starch with effectively zero nutrition.

Why this verdict

• Sugar is the #1 and overwhelmingly dominant ingredient — basically empty calories
• Modified starch plus a stack of anti-caking agents (stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium carbonate) mark it as industrial NOVA-4 confectionery
• 15 ingredients, almost all of them processing additives rather than food
• 'Natural colours' marketing hides that there's no nutrition here at all

Ingredients (14)

• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• malic acid (safe) — Tartness, contributes the sour note.
• Stearic Acid (safe) — Common lubricant used in tablet manufacturing.
• Sodium Bicarbonate (safe) — Standard baking leavener.
• modified starch (concerning) — Industrial texturiser and a classic marker of ultra-processing.
• MAGNESIUM STEARATE (moderate) — Anti-caking/flow agent; harmless in these amounts but a processing tell.
• Magnesium Carbonate (moderate) — Anti-caking agent to keep the powder free-flowing during pressing.
• Flavourings (moderate) — Undisclosed added flavor compounds engineered to mimic BBQ ribs.
• Anthocyanin (safe) — Plant-derived colour (purple/red); naturally sourced.
• Beetroot red (safe) — Natural red colour from beetroot.
• Copper chlorophyllin (safe) — Natural green colour derived from chlorophyll.
• Curcumin (safe) — Natural yellow colour from turmeric.
• LUTEIN (safe) — Natural yellow/orange carotenoid colour.
• Paprika (safe) — Natural color and flavor from ground peppers.