Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach

Apple Jacks Sweetened Cereal With Apple, Cinnamon & Marshmallows: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-10-22 · Apple Jacks

Quick answer

Lower integrity

Apple Jacks sweetened cereal with apple, cinnamon & marshmallows 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 sweetened cereal built on refined corn and wheat fractions, sugar, and multiple texture, color, and flavor helpers. The label is busy with additives, so it fits better as an occasional treat than an everyday staple. Main considerations include multiple synthetic colors (red 40, yellow 5, yellow 6, blue 1), hydrogenated vegetable oil blend, and modified starches, soluble corn fiber, and vague natural/artificial flavor. Simpler options: Choose oat or corn cereals without synthetic colors and hydrogenated oils; look for plain whole grain cereals with short ingredient lists and no artificial flavors.

Food Integrity Score 38/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Ultra-processed
  • High additive load
  • Transparency: Medium

What to watch?

  • Multiple synthetic colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1)
  • Hydrogenated vegetable oil blend
  • Modified starches, soluble corn fiber, and vague natural/artificial flavor

Simpler options to consider

  • Choose oat or corn cereals without synthetic colors and hydrogenated oils
  • Look for plain whole grain cereals with short ingredient lists and no artificial flavors

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 Sweetened Cereal With Apple, Cinnamon & Marshmallows
Category
Breakfast & Cereal (source: Cereal)
GTIN / UPC
00038000215742
Serving size
39 g (1 1/3 Cup)
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

Sweetened Cereal With Apple, Cinnamon & Marshmallows

Apple Jacks

Lower integrity

Warning Signs

Hydrogenated vegetable oil, artificial colors Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and BHT stack up quickly in this cereal.

Consider This

Modified food starch, soluble corn fiber, artificial flavor, and corn syrup make this read like a factory-engineered formula.

Good Substitutes

Plain oats with dried apple, cinnamon, and a little maple or honey, instead of colored, shelf-stabilized pieces.

Overall Assessment

Lower integrity

This is a heavily engineered sweetened cereal built on refined corn and wheat fractions, sugar, and multiple texture, color, and flavor helpers. The label is busy with additives, so it fits better as an occasional treat than an everyday staple.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Multiple synthetic colors (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1)
  • Hydrogenated vegetable oil blend
  • Modified starches, soluble corn fiber, and vague natural/artificial flavor

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 — Synthetic colors many users want flagged.
  • Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated) — Hydrogenated refined oil blend.
  • Natural and Artificial Flavor — Vague flavor system including artificial flavor.
  • BHT — Synthetic preservative.
  • Gelatin — Animal-derived ingredient.

Highest concern ingredients

  • Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated) (8/10) — Hydrogenated refined oil blend.
  • Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 (8/10) — Synthetic color additives.
  • Natural and Artificial Flavor (8/10) — Vague flavor system with artificial components.

Better choice tips

  • Choose oat or corn cereals without synthetic colors and hydrogenated oils.
  • Look for plain whole grain cereals with short ingredient lists and no artificial flavors.

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, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF CORN SYRUP, DEXTROSE, VEGETABLE OIL (HYDROGENATED COCONUT, SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED), OAT FIBER, SALT, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SOLUBLE CORN FIBER, DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN FLOUR, GELATIN, DRIED APPLES, 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 B6 (PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN HYDROCHLORIDE), FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN D3, VITAMIN B12.

Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.

Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.

  1. Vegetable Oil (Hydrogenated Coconut, Soybean and/or Cottonseed)Concern 8/10 — Higher concernHydrogenated oilWatchlist · Vague label term · Higher concern

    What this is

    Hydrogenated oil

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Hydrogenated refined oils are a strong watchlist item for many users.

    Additional note

    Hydrogenated refined oil blend.

    Family watchlist

    Hydrogenated refined oil many users track.

  2. Natural and Artificial FlavorConcern 8/10 — Higher concernFlavor systemWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term · Higher concern

    What this is

    Flavor system

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Vague flavor systems hide specific inputs and include artificial flavor.

    Additional note

    Vague flavor system including artificial flavor.

    Family watchlist

    Vague flavor system with artificial components.

  3. 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 watchlist item.

    Additional note

    Synthetic color additive.

    Family watchlist

    Artificial color many users track.

  4. 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 watchlist item.

    Additional note

    Synthetic color additive.

    Family watchlist

    Artificial color many users track.

View all 36 ingredient assessments
  1. 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 watchlist item.

    Additional note

    Synthetic color additive.

    Family watchlist

    Artificial color many users track.

  2. 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 watchlist item.

    Additional note

    Synthetic color additive.

    Family watchlist

    Artificial color many users track.

  3. BHT for FreshnessConcern 8/10 — Higher concernPreservativeWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern

    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 flagged.

    Additional note

    Synthetic antioxidant preservative.

    Family watchlist

    Synthetic preservative many users track.

  4. Modified Food StarchConcern 7/10 — Higher concernThickenerWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Modified starches are texture-engineering inputs in formulated foods.

    Additional note

    Chemically modified starch for texture.

    Family watchlist

    Modified starch, often used for texture.

  5. Modified Corn StarchConcern 7/10 — Higher concernThickenerWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Modified starch adds texture and stability to processed foods.

    Additional note

    Chemically modified corn starch for texture.

    Family watchlist

    Modified starch, often used for texture.

  6. Soluble Corn FiberConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernIsolated fiber

    What this is

    Isolated fiber

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Soluble corn fiber is an isolated, formulation-oriented fiber.

    Additional note

    Isolated corn fiber added for fiber content.

  7. GelatinConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernAnimal-derived ingredientWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Animal-derived ingredient

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Animal-derived gelatin is a source-sensitive ingredient many users want flagged.

    Additional note

    Animal-derived protein gel.

    Family watchlist

    Animal-derived ingredient many users track.

  8. Contains 2% or less of Corn SyrupConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Corn syrup is a refined sweetener many users want flagged.

    Additional note

    Refined syrup sweetener.

    Family watchlist

    Refined sweetener many users track.

  9. Oat FiberConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernIsolated fiber

    What this is

    Isolated fiber

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Isolated fibers signal formulation beyond whole grain.

    Additional note

    Isolated fiber added to formula.

  10. DextroseConcern 4/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Dextrose is a refined sugar adding sweetness quickly.

    Additional note

    Refined sugar derived from starch.

    Family watchlist

    Refined sweetener many users track.

  11. SugarConcern 3/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Refined sugar is a major sweetening base in this formula.

    Additional note

    Refined sweetener used as a main ingredient.

    Family watchlist

    Refined sweetener many users track.

  12. Degerminated Yellow Corn FlourConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined grain

    What this is

    Refined grain

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Germ removal makes this a more refined grain fraction.

    Additional note

    Corn with germ removed, more refined.

  13. Wheat FlourConcern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined grain

    What this is

    Refined grain

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined wheat flour is a common but refined base.

    Additional note

    Refined wheat flour base.

  14. Degerminated Yellow Corn Flour (second)Concern 3/10 — Mild concernRefined grain

    What this is

    Refined grain

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Repeated refined corn fraction adds to refinement load.

    Additional note

    Repeated degerminated corn flour.

  15. Apple Juice ConcentrateConcern 3/10 — Mild concernSweetener

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Concentrated juice adds sweetness in a processed form.

    Additional note

    Concentrated juice sweetener.

  16. CornstarchConcern 3/10 — Mild concernThickener

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined starch is common but adds refinement.

    Additional note

    Refined corn starch.

  17. Wheat StarchConcern 3/10 — Mild concernThickener

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined starch adds texture in a refined formula.

    Additional note

    Refined wheat starch.

  18. Corn Flour BlendConcern 2/10 — Very low concernRefined grain

    What this is

    Refined grain

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Blended corn flours are common base grains with some refinement.

    Additional note

    Blend of whole grain and degerminated corn flour.

  19. Reduced IronConcern 2/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added iron is a fortification ingredient.

    Additional note

    Fortification mineral.

  20. NiacinamideConcern 2/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added vitamin B3 is a fortification ingredient.

    Additional note

    Vitamin B3 fortification.

  21. Dried ApplesConcern 1/10 — Very low 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.

  22. Baking SodaConcern 1/10 — Very low concernLeavening

    What this is

    Leavening

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Baking soda is a common baking ingredient.

    Additional note

    Leavening agent.

  23. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added vitamin fortification.

    Additional note

    Vitamin fortification.

  24. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added vitamin fortification.

    Additional note

    Vitamin fortification.

  25. Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Hydrochloride)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added vitamin fortification.

    Additional note

    Vitamin fortification.

  26. Folic AcidConcern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added vitamin fortification.

    Additional note

    Vitamin fortification.

  27. Vitamin D3Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added vitamin fortification.

    Additional note

    Vitamin fortification.

  28. Vitamin B12Concern 1/10 — Very low concernFortificant

    What this is

    Fortificant

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Why it matters

    Added vitamin fortification.

    Additional note

    Vitamin fortification.

  29. Whole Grain Yellow Corn FlourConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernWhole grain

    What this is

    Whole grain

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Whole grain corn is a recognizable base ingredient.

    Additional note

    Whole grain corn flour.

  30. 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 ingredient.

    Additional note

    Whole grain oat flour.

  31. SaltConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Salt is a simple recognizable ingredient.

    Additional note

    Common seasoning.

  32. CinnamonConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Cinnamon is a recognizable spice.

    Additional note

    Spice.

This Food Integrity score estimates how closely the ingredient profile resembles simple, recognizable foods. It is not a medical safety rating. 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-outs

    Metabolic 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.)

    See more for this goal

  • GLP-1 Eating Support

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic 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.)

    See more for this goal

  • Low Sugar Lifestyle

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic 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.)

    See more for this goal

  • Appetite & Portion Awareness

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic 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.)

    See more for this goal

  • Vegetarian

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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.)

    See more for this goal

  • Vegan

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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.)

    See more for this goal

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.

Personalize this analysis

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 Sweetened Cereal With Apple, Cinnamon & Marshmallows 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 Sweetened Cereal With Apple, Cinnamon & Marshmallows shows about 1.99g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Apple Jacks Sweetened Cereal With Apple, Cinnamon & Marshmallows: 15g added 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: Contains some whole grain oat and corn flour; Fortified with vitamins and minerals; Modest fiber per serving.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: High sugar: 17g per serving, largely added; Artificial colors Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1; Hydrogenated and seed-based vegetable oil.

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

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Healthy Food Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
  3. How the Longevity Score is calculated
  4. How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
  5. Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
  6. Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
  7. 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.

Sources, citations & safety

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.