Starburst Assorted Candy Canes — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Starburst Assorted Candy Canes by wrigley DUMP — score 20/90.

Sugar and corn syrup with three artificial dyes and synthetic flavors. The 'real fruit juice' is a sub-2% afterthought.

Why this verdict

• Sugar is the #1 ingredient, corn syrup #2 — two refined sweeteners back to back
• Three artificial dyes: Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1
• Natural AND artificial flavors — synthetic flavoring in the mix
• Fruit juice is under 2%, just enough to justify the 'real fruit' claim
• Pure fast sugar — no fiber, protein, or nutrition of any kind

Ingredients (9)

• Sugar (concerning) — Added refined sugar, listed high - spikes blood sugar with no nutrition.
• Corn Syrup (concerning) — Refined glucose syrup added purely for sweetness and body; spikes blood sugar with zero nutrition.
• citric acid (safe) — Common acidulant for tartness and preservation; safe in these amounts.
• Natural and Artificial Flavors (moderate) — Undisclosed lab-made flavor blend; the 'artificial' half is pure synthetic chemistry with no food value.
• Fruit juice from concentrate (apple, lemon, orange, strawberry) (moderate) — Present at under 2% — there for the 'real fruit' marketing, not for any real nutritional benefit.
• red 40 (concerning) — A petroleum-derived artificial dye linked to hyperactivity in children; purely cosmetic.
• yellow 5 (concerning) — Tartrazine, a synthetic dye tied to hyperactivity and allergic reactions in some people.
• blue 1 (concerning) — Synthetic artificial dye with no nutritional purpose, used only for color.
• glycerol (safe) — A sugar-alcohol humectant used for texture. Benign in this quantity.