Nerds — BULLSHIT

Munch or Dump rates Nerds by Nestlé BULLSHIT — score 0/90.

Pure sugar dyed with synthetic colors, sold as 'no artificial flavors' while artificial malic acid does the tart work.

Why this verdict

• 'No artificial flavors' on pack, yet artificial dl-malic acid drives the tart flavor (subject of a class-action suit)
• First three ingredients are all sugar — dextrose, sugar, corn syrup
• Colored with synthetic dyes Brilliant Blue FCF, Tartrazine and Sunset Yellow, linked to hyperactivity in children
• Zero nutritional value: no protein, fiber, or real food of any kind

Ingredients (7)

• Sugars (dextrose, sugar, corn syrup) (concerning) — Three different sugars stacked as the entire base of the product — a fast blood-sugar spike with no nutrients attached.
• malic acid (safe) — Tartness, contributes the sour note.
• Natural Flavours (moderate) — Undefined flavor compounds used to make concentrate taste like fresh fruit.
• carnauba wax (safe) — Plant wax used to keep the bears from sticking.
• Brilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1) (concerning) — Synthetic petroleum-derived dye used purely for color.
• Tartrazine (Yellow 5) (concerning) — Synthetic azo dye that can trigger reactions in sensitive people; EU warning required.
• Sunset Yellow FCF (Yellow 6) (concerning) — Synthetic azo dye flagged in the Southampton study for behavioral effects in children.