Food Quality Guide by KarbCoach
Great Value Peppermint Starlight Mints Flavored Hard Candy, Peppermint Starlight Mints: Food Integrity analysis
Quick answer
Lower integrity
Great Value peppermint starlight mints flavored hard candy, peppermint starlight mints received a Food Integrity Score of 51 out of 100 (lower integrity). This reflects moderately processed and high additive load. This peppermint candy takes industrial formulation to the next level with a mix of sweeteners and synthetic colors. While such individual candies might be consumed on occasion, frequent consumption isn't recommended due to its artificial and processed nature. Shifting to simpler, less-processed options can make for a better everyday choice. Main considerations include additive load, artificial colors, and sweeteners. Simpler options: Choose candies with natural sweeteners; look for naturally colored sweets.
Food Integrity Score 51/100
What stood out on the label?
- Moderately processed
- High additive load
- Transparency: Medium
What to watch?
- Additive load
- Artificial colors
- Sweeteners
Simpler options to consider
- Choose candies with natural sweeteners
- Look for naturally colored sweets
You are viewing ingredients and processing. Switch to Longevity for nutrition and longer-term eating pattern fit.
Source data, GTIN, and Food Quality Guide analysis details
Product facts
- Product
- Great Value Peppermint Starlight Mints Flavored Hard Candy, Peppermint Starlight Mints
- Brand
- Great Value
- Category
- Sweets & Desserts (source: Candy)
- GTIN / UPC
00078742201399- Serving size
- 15 g (3 PIECES)
- Source data — ingredients
- Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
- Food Quality Guide analysis
- Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
- Data last verified
Food Integrity results
Peppermint Starlight Mints Flavored Hard Candy, Peppermint Starlight Mints
Great Value
Lower integrity
Warning Signs
Titanium dioxide and Red 40 make this candy ultra-processed with potential artificial concerns.
Consider This
Corn syrup and added dyes signal factory-formulated flavors common in processed sweets.
Good Substitutes
Opt for homemade candies using honey and natural dyes for a simpler treat.
Overall Assessment
Lower integrityThis peppermint candy takes industrial formulation to the next level with a mix of sweeteners and synthetic colors. While such individual candies might be consumed on occasion, frequent consumption isn't recommended due to its artificial and processed nature. Shifting to simpler, less-processed options can make for a better everyday choice.
Key Highlights
What stood out
- Additive load
- Artificial colors
- Sweeteners
Family Watchlist
Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.
- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR) — Controversial additive
- RED 40 — Artificial color
- RED 3 — Artificial color
- BLUE 1 — Artificial color
- YELLOW 6 — Artificial color
Highest concern ingredients
- TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR) (8/10) — Artificial color with potential concerns
- RED 40 (8/10) — Artificial color with potential concerns
- RED 3 (8/10) — Artificial color with potential concerns
Better choice tips
- Choose candies with natural sweeteners
- Look for naturally colored sweets
Ingredients
Ingredient list
CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR), PEPPERMINT OIL, RED 40, RED 3, BLUE 1, YELLOW 6.
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR)Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Potentially harmful additive, commonly scrutinized.
Additional note
Artificial color with potential concerns
Family watchlist
Controversial additive
RED 40Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Linked to behavioral concerns in some studies.
Additional note
Artificial color with potential concerns
Family watchlist
Artificial color
RED 3Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Linked to behavioral and health concerns.
Additional note
Artificial color with potential concerns
Family watchlist
Artificial color
BLUE 1Concern 7/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Many avoid due to links with hyperactivity.
Additional note
Synthetic color with possible risks
Family watchlist
Artificial color
View all 8 ingredient assessments
YELLOW 6Concern 7/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Color additive
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Linked to allergic reactions in some.
Additional note
Artificial color with potential issues
Family watchlist
Artificial color
CORN SYRUPConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernSweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Sweetener
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Highly processed sweetener; signals low integrity.
Additional note
Common processed sweetener
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener
SUGARConcern 3/10 — Mild concernSweetener
What this is
Sweetener
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Refined sugar is widely criticized for health impacts.
Additional note
Refined sweetener
PEPPERMINT OILConcern 1/10 — Very low concernFlavoring agent
What this is
Flavoring agent
Processing category
Natural refined
Why it matters
A typical natural flavoring agent.
Additional note
Natural flavor component
This analysis estimates food integrity based on ingredients and does not reflect nutritional, allergenic, or medical safety. 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", "corn syrup". 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", "corn syrup". 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", "corn syrup". 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", "corn syrup". 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 "corn syrup", "sugar", "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 "corn syrup", "sugar", "syrup". See ingredients for details.)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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 additive load (High additive load)
This product has 2 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 additive load (High additive load)
This product has 2 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 additive load (High additive load)
This product has 2 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 "corn". 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.
Vegetarian
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Vegan
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Vegan, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.
Plant-Based
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Plant-Based, 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.
Low Gluten Eating
NeutralDietary Patterns
For someone prioritizing Low Gluten Eating, 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 Great Value Peppermint Starlight Mints Flavored Hard Candy, Peppermint Starlight Mints highly processed?
Food Integrity lists processing level as Moderately 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?
Great Value Peppermint Starlight Mints Flavored Hard Candy, Peppermint Starlight Mints shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Great Value Peppermint Starlight Mints Flavored Hard Candy, Peppermint Starlight Mints: 10g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include Corn syrup, Sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.
What helped the Longevity Score?
Key positives called out in the analysis include: No saturated fat; No sodium.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: High sugar content; Artificial colors present; Ultra-processed ingredients.
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same sweets & desserts differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.
Source data and Food Quality Guide analysis
- Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
- Food Quality 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
Food Quality Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.
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