Welch's Fruit Snacks — DUMP

Name: Welch's Fruit Snacks
Brand: Welch's

Munch or Dump rates Welch's Fruit Snacks by Welch's DUMP — score 17/90.

Marketed as 'real fruit,' but corn syrup and sugar sit right behind the puree, backed by modified starch and artificial flavors. This is candy wearing a fruit costume.

Why this verdict

Three added-sugar sources: corn syrup, sugar, and grape juice concentrate
~40% of each serving is sugar despite the 'real fruit' framing
Modified corn starch and gelatin are the texture backbone, not fruit
Contains artificial flavors and multiple added colors
Ultra-processed (NOVA 4); fortified vitamins mask a candy formula

Ingredients (16)

Whole fruit puree (grape, peach, orange, strawberry, raspberry) (safe) — Real fruit and the first ingredient by weight, but heavily concentrated so its sugar counts too.
Corn Syrup (caution) — Added sugar baked into the crust.
Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
Modified Corn Starch (moderate) — Thickener/stabilizer that gives the sauce body.
Pork gelatin (moderate) — Animal gelling agent; makes the product non-vegetarian.
grape juice concentrate (moderate) — Second concentrated-juice sugar source.
citric acid (safe) — Acidity and tartness adjuster.
Lactic Acid (safe) — A mild acid for flavor and preservation; safe.
Natural and Artificial Flavors (caution) — Undisclosed lab flavoring - the artificial half signals engineering.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (safe) — Added vitamin C; also helps preserve color and flavor.
Alpha tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E) (safe) — Fortification vitamin; fine but doesn't make a sugar chew healthy.
Vitamin A palmitate (safe) — Standard fortification to replace vitamin A lost when fat is removed. A nutrient, not an additive of concern.
carnauba wax (safe) — Plant wax used to keep the bears from sticking.
annatto color (safe) — Plant-based coloring for a warm cream hue.
Turmeric color (safe) — Natural plant-based coloring.
Fruit and Vegetable Juice (Color) (safe) — Plant-based coloring — at least the dyes are gone.