Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach
Apple Jacks Spooky Marshmallows Cereal, Apple; Cinnamon: Food Integrity analysis
Quick answer
Lower integrity
Apple Jacks spooky marshmallows cereal, apple; cinnamon received a Food Integrity Score of 38 out of 100 (lower integrity). This reflects ultra-processed and high additive load. This is a heavily engineered sweet cereal with multiple refined sugars, refined flours, starches, and an additive-heavy color and flavor system. Enjoy it occasionally rather than as a regular breakfast staple. The apple and oat elements are present, but they are a small part of a formula built for color, texture, and shelf life. Main considerations include synthetic colors red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, and blue 1, hydrogenated vegetable oil blend, and modified food starch, soluble corn fiber, and bht. Simpler options: Choose oat-based cereals with no synthetic colors and plain added fruit; pick cereals listing whole grains first with recognizable oils and no BHT.
Food Integrity Score 38/100
What stood out on the label?
- Ultra-processed
- High additive load
- Transparency: Medium
What to watch?
- Synthetic colors Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil blend
- Modified food starch, soluble corn fiber, and BHT
Simpler options to consider
- Choose oat-based cereals with no synthetic colors and plain added fruit
- Pick cereals listing whole grains first with recognizable oils and no BHT
You are viewing ingredients and processing. Switch to Longevity for nutrition and longer-term eating pattern fit.
Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Apple Jacks Spooky Marshmallows Cereal, Apple; Cinnamon
- Brand
- Apple Jacks
- Category
- Breakfast & Cereal (source: Cereal)
- GTIN / UPC
00038000191756- Serving size
- 39 g
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
Food Integrity results
Spooky Marshmallows Cereal, Apple; Cinnamon
Apple Jacks
Lower integrity
Warning Signs
Hydrogenated vegetable oil, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1 stack up as synthetic colors and processed fats in this cereal.
Consider This
Modified food starch, soluble corn fiber, BHT, gelatin, and vague natural flavor make this read like a factory-formulated cereal rather than a simple kitchen recipe.
Good Substitutes
Plain rolled oats with cinnamon, dried apple pieces, and a little maple syrup gives you a similar apple-cinnamon flavor without the synthetic colors and additive system.
Overall Assessment
Lower integrityThis is a heavily engineered sweet cereal with multiple refined sugars, refined flours, starches, and an additive-heavy color and flavor system. Enjoy it occasionally rather than as a regular breakfast staple. The apple and oat elements are present, but they are a small part of a formula built for color, texture, and shelf life.
Key Highlights
What stood out
- Synthetic colors Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil blend
- Modified food starch, soluble corn fiber, and BHT
Family Watchlist
Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.
- Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 — Synthetic color additives
- Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated) — Hydrogenated refined oil blend
- BHT for Freshness — Synthetic preservative
- Natural Flavor, Color Added — Vague ingredient wording
- Gelatin — Animal-derived ingredient
Highest concern ingredients
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil blend (8/10) — Refined hydrogenated oil with formulation concern.
- Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 (8/10) — Synthetic color additives.
- BHT for Freshness (7/10) — Synthetic preservative.
Better choice tips
- Choose oat-based cereals with no synthetic colors and plain added fruit.
- Pick cereals listing whole grains first with recognizable oils and no BHT.
Ingredients
Ingredient list
SUGAR, CORN FLOUR BLEND (WHOLE GRAIN YELLOW CORN FLOUR, DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN FLOUR), WHEAT FLOUR, WHOLE GRAIN OAT FLOUR, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF CORN SYRUP, DEXTROSE, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED COCONUT, SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED), OAT FIBER, SALT, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, COLOR ADDED, DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN FLOUR, GELATIN, DRIED APPLES, NATURAL FLAVOR, APPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE, CORNSTARCH, CINNAMON, YELLOW 6, WHEAT STARCH, BAKING SODA, YELLOW 5, RED 40, BLUE 1, BHT FOR FRESHNESS, VITAMINS AND MINERALS: REDUCED IRON, NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN B (PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B (RIBOFLAVIN), VITAMIN B (THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE), FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN D, VITAMIN B
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.
Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated Coconut, Soybean and/or Cottonseed)Concern 8/10 — Higher concernHydrogenated oilWatchlist · Higher concern
What this is
Hydrogenated oil
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Hydrogenated refined oils are a strong formulation and watchlist concern.
Additional note
Hydrogenated refined oil blend.
Yellow 6Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic colors are a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Synthetic color additive.
Family watchlist
Synthetic color.
Yellow 5Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic colors are a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Synthetic color additive.
Family watchlist
Synthetic color.
Red 40Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic colors are a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Synthetic color additive.
Family watchlist
Synthetic color.
View all 34 ingredient assessments
Blue 1Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Synthetic colors are a common family watchlist item.
Additional note
Synthetic color additive.
Family watchlist
Synthetic color.
BHT for FreshnessConcern 7/10 — Higher concernPreservativeWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Preservative
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
BHT is a synthetic preservative many users want to track.
Additional note
Synthetic antioxidant preservative.
Family watchlist
Synthetic preservative.
Modified Food StarchConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernModified starchWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Modified starch
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Modified starches are texture-engineering inputs many users want to track.
Additional note
Chemically or physically modified starch for texture.
Family watchlist
Texture-modifying starch.
Soluble Corn FiberConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernIsolated fiber
What this is
Isolated fiber
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Soluble corn fiber is an isolated formulation input.
Additional note
Isolated soluble fiber, formulation-oriented.
Color AddedConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Vague label term
What this is
Vague ingredient
Processing category
Unknown / not listed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Vague color wording makes the color source unclear.
Additional note
Vague color declaration pointing to added colors.
Family watchlist
Vague color declaration.
Natural FlavorConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term
What this is
Vague ingredient
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Natural flavor is a broad label covering many possible inputs.
Additional note
Vague flavor system, source unclear.
Family watchlist
Vague flavor system.
Contains 2% or less of Corn SyrupConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined syrupWatchlist
What this is
Refined syrup
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Corn syrup is a refined sweetener many users track.
Additional note
Refined sweetener syrup, minor amount.
Family watchlist
Refined corn sweetener.
Oat FiberConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernIsolated fiber
What this is
Isolated fiber
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Isolated fiber is a formulation-oriented addition.
Additional note
Isolated fiber added for formulation.
GelatinConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernAnimal-derived ingredientWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Animal-derived ingredient
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Gelatin is animal-derived and many users want to know.
Additional note
Animal-derived protein, source-sensitive.
Family watchlist
Animal-derived gelling protein.
SugarConcern 4/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Sweetener
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Refined sugar is a leading ingredient, shaping the sweet profile.
Additional note
Refined sweetener, a major ingredient by position.
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener many users track.
DextroseConcern 4/10 — Mild concernRefined sweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Refined sweetener
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Added refined sugar adds to the sweetener load.
Additional note
Refined sugar derived from corn starch.
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener.
Corn Flour BlendConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined grain blend
What this is
Refined grain blend
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Mix of whole and degermed corn flour signals refined fraction use.
Additional note
Blend of whole grain and degermed corn flours.
Wheat FlourConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined flour
What this is
Refined flour
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Refined flour is a common, recognizable but refined base.
Additional note
Refined wheat flour base.
Degermed Yellow Corn FlourConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined flour
What this is
Refined flour
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Degermed corn flour is a refined grain fraction.
Additional note
Refined corn flour with germ removed.
Apple Juice ConcentrateConcern 3/10 — Mild concernFruit concentrate
What this is
Fruit concentrate
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Concentrate is recognizable but concentrated and sugar-dense.
Additional note
Concentrated fruit juice, recognizable.
CornstarchConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined starch
What this is
Refined starch
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Refined starch is common but refined.
Additional note
Refined starch.
Wheat StarchConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined starch
What this is
Refined starch
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Refined starch adds to the refined-fraction load.
Additional note
Refined starch from wheat.
Baking SodaConcern 2/10 — Very low concernLeavening agentAdditive
What this is
Leavening agent
Processing category
Processed
Why it matters
Baking soda is a normal baking ingredient.
Additional note
Leavening agent, common baking ingredient.
Vitamins and Minerals: Reduced IronConcern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant
What this is
Fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Fortification nutrients are standard in fortified cereals.
Additional note
Fortification mineral.
NiacinamideConcern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant
What this is
Fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Vitamin fortification is common in fortified cereals.
Additional note
Vitamin B3 fortificant.
Vitamin B (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant
What this is
Fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Vitamin fortification is common in fortified cereals.
Additional note
Vitamin B6 fortificant.
Vitamin B (Riboflavin)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant
What this is
Fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Vitamin fortification is common in fortified cereals.
Additional note
Vitamin B2 fortificant.
Vitamin B (Thiamin Hydrochloride)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant
What this is
Fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Vitamin fortification is common in fortified cereals.
Additional note
Vitamin B1 fortificant.
Folic AcidConcern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant
What this is
Fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Folic acid fortification is common in fortified cereals.
Additional note
Synthetic folate fortificant.
Vitamin DConcern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant
What this is
Fortificant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Vitamin D fortification is common in fortified cereals.
Additional note
Vitamin D fortificant.
Vitamin BConcern 1/10 — Very low concernVague ingredientVague label term
What this is
Vague ingredient
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Transparency Context
Why it matters
Unspecified B vitamin wording is vague.
Additional note
Unspecified B vitamin fortificant.
Whole Grain Oat FlourConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernWhole grain
What this is
Whole grain
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Whole grain oat is a recognizable, higher-integrity grain.
Additional note
Whole grain oat flour, a simple recognizable grain.
SaltConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Basic salt is a simple recognizable ingredient.
Additional note
Simple seasoning.
Dried ApplesConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Dried apple is a recognizable fruit ingredient.
Additional note
Dried fruit pieces, recognizable.
CinnamonConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Cinnamon is a simple, recognizable spice.
Additional note
Simple spice.
Food Integrity is an ingredient-based analysis of formulation and label clarity. It is not a medical safety rating or nutritional recommendation. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
How this product may fit different goals
The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.
Low-Spike Stability
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar", "syrup", "dextrose". See ingredients for details.)
GLP-1 Eating Support
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar", "syrup", "dextrose". See ingredients for details.)
Low Sugar Lifestyle
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar", "syrup", "dextrose". See ingredients for details.)
Appetite & Portion Awareness
Watch-outsMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar", "syrup", "dextrose". See ingredients for details.)
Vegetarian
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Meat/seafood ingredients (Mentions "gelatin". See ingredients for details.)
Vegan
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "gelatin". See ingredients for details.)
Plant-Based
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Animal-derived ingredients (Mentions "gelatin". See ingredients for details.)
Low-Carb Lifestyle
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low-Carb Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "flour", "wheat flour", "corn syrup". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Keto-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Keto-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Carb-dense ingredients (Mentions "flour", "wheat flour", "corn syrup". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Low Gluten Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Gluten-related ingredients (Mentions "wheat". See ingredients for details.)
Minimally Processed Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Minimally Processed Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Whole-Food Focused Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Whole-Food Focused Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Higher processing level (Ultra-processed)
This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.
Paleo-Style Eating
Watch-outsDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Paleo-Style Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.
A consideration: Grain/legume ingredients (Mentions "wheat", "flour", "oat". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
Heart-Healthy Eating
NeutralMetabolic Health
For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Athletic Fueling
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Athletic Fueling, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Workout Recovery
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Workout Recovery, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Strength & Protein Focus
NeutralAthletic Performance
For someone prioritizing Strength & Protein Focus, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Pescatarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Pescatarian, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Mediterranean-Style Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Mediterranean-Style Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Healthy Fat Focus
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Healthy Fat Focus, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
See how this product fits your goals
Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.
Understanding the Food Integrity analysis
What the Food Integrity analysis evaluates
The Food Integrity analysis focuses on how a packaged food is formulated and made. It examines processing level, ingredient quality, additives, oils, sweeteners, purity cues, and how clearly a label communicates what is in the product. The Food Integrity Score summarizes that formulation and transparency picture on a 0–100 scale. It is not a full nutrient report and it is not a personalized meal plan.
Why processing, ingredients, and transparency matter
Processing level and ingredient quality shape what you are actually eating beyond calories on the label. Additives, industrial oils, and intense sweeteners can change how clean or heavily engineered a product feels, even when the front of pack looks wholesome. Purity and transparency matter because incomplete or marketing-heavy labeling can hide tradeoffs that only show up when the full ingredient list is reviewed carefully.
Who may prioritize Food Integrity
Some people care mainly about Food Integrity because their dietary goals center on formulation rather than macros alone. Examples include checking vegetarian or vegan suitability, preferring simpler ingredient sources, avoiding certain additives or sweeteners, watching oil choices, or preferring less processed options. For those priorities, the Food Integrity Score can be the more practical first read.
How Food Integrity differs from Longevity
Food Integrity is the focused analysis of processing, ingredients, additives, purity, and transparency. Longevity is the broader analysis of nutritional composition, metabolic and dietary characteristics, processing, and ingredient quality together. Favorable nutrition values do not necessarily mean strong Food Integrity: a product can look balanced on macros yet still rely on heavy processing or additives that the Food Integrity analysis flags in more detail.
Why the two analyses overlap—and why to review Longevity too
The analyses overlap intentionally. Food Integrity–related characteristics contribute to Longevity, and Longevity still benefits from the same ingredient-quality lens. They are not competing verdicts; they answer different questions at different depths. Reviewing the Longevity analysis can add information about nutritional composition, metabolic characteristics, and dietary balance that Food Integrity alone does not emphasize. Looking at both usually gives the most complete understanding of tradeoffs.
Common questions about this product
Is Apple Jacks Spooky Marshmallows Cereal, Apple; Cinnamon highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Ultra-processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.
Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?
Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.
How much fiber is in one serving?
Apple Jacks Spooky Marshmallows Cereal, Apple; Cinnamon shows about 1.99g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Apple Jacks Spooky Marshmallows Cereal, Apple; Cinnamon: 16g total sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Sugar, Corn syrup. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: Fortified with vitamins and iron; Contains some whole grain oat and corn flour; Modest fiber from oat and corn fiber.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: High sugar, including sugar and corn syrup near top of list; Artificial colors Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1; Ultra-processed with BHT and hydrogenated oil blend.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same breakfast & cereal differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
- How the Longevity Score is calculated
- How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
- Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
- Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
- Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information
Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.
See how this item lines up with your goals
Healthy Food Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
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