Cherry Slices: artificial color content
Cherry Slices are naturally and artificially flavored candies from Zachary Confections, Inc., “A Family Owned American Company” located in Indiana. This is another illustration of the primitive principle American food manufacturers keep applying to making candies for you and your children: Keep it simple and stupid. Take a look for yourself.
DyeDiet Doesn’t Buy It!
Indeed, Zachary Confections make it extremely simple: they mix sugar and starch with a little of artificial flavor and add 2 mg of the artificial color (FD&C Red 40) per candy. That’s it! Your moderate risk (DDFI ~ 1.3) and low nutritional value (DDNF ~ 0.5) candy is ready. There is a good chance that they added acetophenone to imitate cherry flavor. No real cherries from Zachary for you and your kids. Read the CSPI document: Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks
But you still have a choice. Here is a less risky (DDFI ~ 0.3) candy alternative with better nutritional value (DDNF ~ 1.7): Tootsie Roll, made in USA as well.
Beware, however, that this candy contains 2.5% of trans–fat which comes with partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Consumption of trans-fats increases risk of coronary heart disease. Sadly, it is nearly impossible to find a healthy candy at Wal-Mart store. DyeDiet would recommend fresh fruits or Sun-Maid dried fruits instead. Make you informed free choice!
Category: Candy, Food Dyes Exposure