This product is not certified organic [read more]
Products bearing the USDA certified organic seal must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredient, and must be produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and free of genetically engineered ingredients.
Contains food additives of moderate concern
Contains 3 of EWG's top food additives of concern: RED 40, BLUE 1, and YELLOW 5
Contains synthetic food dyes [read more]
Health concerns about the use of dyes in children's food has a led to a reduction in usage but these colorants are still common.
Contains the non-specific ingredient "flavor" [read more]
Added "flavors" are secret and often complex mixtures of chemicals that modify and manipulate the taste and smell of food. The lack of disclosure is a public right to know issue and especially concerning to people with unusual food allergies or on restricted diets.
Contains low calorie sweeteners: Aspartame and Acesulphame Potassium [read more]
Low calorie sweeteners were designed to impart a sweet taste without the calories or glucose effects of sugar. However there is insufficient evidence that they reduce overall calorie intake, aid with weight loss or improve overall health (Gardner 2014; Shankar 2013).Instead low calorie sweeteners may condition people to crave sweet foods (Mattes 2009) and therefore eat fewer servings of healthy foods (IOM 2007). The IOM recommends that schools not serve diet foods or beverages to young children (IOM 2007).In the meantime EWG concludes that people should limit their consumption of sugar and low calorie sweeteners, advice echoed by other nutrition experts (Swithers 2013; Shankar 2013).
Product has been classified as having moderate processing concerns
Natural vs. Artificial Flavors
EWG's Good Food On A Tight Budget
EWG's 2014 Shopper's Guide to Avoiding GE Food
From the Package
STRAWBERRY STARFRUIT: CITRIC ACID, MALTODEXTRIN*, ASPARTAME+, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: MAGNESIUM OXIDE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, RED 40, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1., MANGO TANGELO: CITRIC ACID, MALTODEXTRIN*, ASPARTAME+, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, POTASSIUM CITRATE, SODIUM CITRATE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, YELLOW 5, RED 40., KIWI LIME: CITRIC ACID, ASPARTAME+, MALTODEXTRIN*, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: MAGNESIUM OXIDE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, YELLOW 5, BLUE 1., PINEAPPLE PASSION FRUIT: CITRIC ACID, ASPARTAME+, MALTODEXTRIN*, MALIC ACID, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: MAGNESIUM OXIDE, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, CALCIUM SILICATE, ARTIFICIAL COLOR, BLUE 1, RED 40.
Products remain in the Database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores, even when they have been discontinued (products may remain in stores and pantries long past the date they cease to be manufactured). EWG marks a product it is aware has been discontinued with a banner identifying it as such.
