Gerber Fruit Splashers Grape
This is a vitamin fortified beverage designed by Gerber Products Co. (USA) for children over 1 year old. It is based on fruit juice concentrates with less amount of sugar. On the label you can read: Water & fruit juice blend beverage; 40% less sugar than 100% apple juice. Grape, naturally flavored with other natural flavors. 100% Daily Value Vitamin C. No Artificial Sweeteners. Nutrition for Healthy Growth & Natural Immune Support. Now let’s take a look at the ingredients and the risk diagram.
DyeDiet RECOMMENDED
Gerber Fruit Splashers Grape: Risk and Nutrition
While there is NO potentially dangerous chemicals added (no red segments!), DDFI = 0/8 = 0, that is very good, the nutritional value is only “poor” by the DyeDiet standards: DDNF = 9/12 ~ 0.75. The reason for this is that a natural flavor, citric acid and zinc gluconate, a dietary supplement of questionable health benefits, were added to the drink. According to the Wikipedia, zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people. When supplemented for at least five months, it reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children. There is potential for zinc lozenges to produce side effects. In view of this and the differences in study populations, dosages, formulations and duration of treatment, it is difficult to make firm recommendations about the dose, formulation and duration that should be used. Instances of anosmia (loss of smell) have been reported with intranasal use of some products containing zinc gluconate.
So it may be not a great idea to allow your child to drink Gerber Graduates Fruit Splashers Grape on a regular basis.
What is really good about this beverage is that it does contain much less sugar than many other soft drinks. Fruit Splashers beverages have 7 g of sugar per 4 FL OZ serving compared to 12 g of sugar per 4 FL OZ serving of 100% apple juice. It also says on the label: On a given day, 28% of toddlers consumed sweetened beverages, such as soda pop or fruit-flavored drinks, with limited nutritional value.
Graduates Fruit Splashers beverage has no artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors or added colors. While the beverage may be not as nutritionally perfect as expected, it is incomparably safer and healthier choice than, let say, health damaging Kool-Aid.
I do hope this brief review helps to make less risky food choices for you and your kids!
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