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 20/90.

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 (concerning) — A second stacked added sugar on top of HFCS, pushing total sugar to roughly a quarter of the product.
Sugar (concerning) — Added sugar, third by weight, feeds yeast and adds sweetness with no nutritional benefit.
Modified Corn Starch (moderate) — Chemically or enzymatically altered starch used to fake thickness; a marker of ultra-processing.
Pork gelatin (moderate) — Animal-derived gelling agent; makes the product non-vegetarian.
grape juice concentrate (concerning) — A third concentrated-sugar source dressed up as fruit.
citric acid (safe) — Mild acidulant and preservative, generally harmless.
Lactic Acid (safe) — Tangy acidulant, generally benign.
Natural and Artificial Flavors (moderate) — Artificial flavoring undercuts any 'clean' impression.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) (safe) — Antioxidant/vitamin C; minor and mostly for stability.
Alpha tocopherol acetate (Vitamin E) (safe) — Fortification vitamin; fine but doesn't make a sugar chew healthy.
Vitamin A palmitate (safe) — Added vitamin A; standard fortification.
carnauba wax (safe) — Plant-based glazing agent for shine and to stop sticking.
annatto color (safe) — Natural coloring, but part of a stack of added colors to fake fruit appearance.
Turmeric color (safe) — Natural yellow coloring added for visual appeal.
Fruit and Vegetable Juice (Color) (safe) — Juice used as dye, not for nutrition; another cosmetic additive.