Food Quality Guideby KarbCoach

Food Quality Guide by KarbCoach

Great Value Sprinkle Mix, Peppermint Crunch Candies: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-08-22 · Great Value

Quick answer

Lower integrity

Great Value sprinkle mix, peppermint crunch candies received a Food Integrity Score of 45 out of 100 (lower integrity). This reflects highly processed and high additive load. This peppermint crunch candy reads more like a food-engineering project than a simple recipe. With a mix of synthetic colors and emulsifying agents, it's best enjoyed occasionally rather than regularly. The product relies on multiple artificial additives and stabilizers, which affects its overall integrity. Main considerations include synthetic color additives, refined vegetable oils, and high additive load. Simpler options: Choose natural peppermint oil candies; seek naturally colored options.

Food Integrity Score 45/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Highly processed
  • High additive load
  • Transparency: Very low

What to watch?

  • Synthetic color additives
  • Refined vegetable oils
  • High additive load

Simpler options to consider

  • Choose natural peppermint oil candies
  • Seek naturally colored options

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 Sprinkle Mix, Peppermint Crunch Candies
Category
Sweets & Desserts (source: Baking Decorations & Dessert Toppings)
GTIN / UPC
00078742027777
Serving size
4 GRM (1 tsp)
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

Sprinkle Mix, Peppermint Crunch Candies

Great Value

Lower integrity

Warning Signs

Titanium Dioxide and Red 40 Lake are concerning due to their synthetic nature.

Consider This

Ingredients like Xanthan Gum and Titanium Dioxide are typically found in ultra-processed foods.

Good Substitutes

Opt for mints made with natural peppermint oil and less artificial coloring.

Overall Assessment

Lower integrity

This peppermint crunch candy reads more like a food-engineering project than a simple recipe. With a mix of synthetic colors and emulsifying agents, it's best enjoyed occasionally rather than regularly. The product relies on multiple artificial additives and stabilizers, which affects its overall integrity.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Synthetic color additives
  • Refined vegetable oils
  • High additive load

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • PALM OIL — Refined oil and sustainability concerns
  • CONFECTIONER'S GLAZE — Animal-derived ingredient
  • XANTHAN GUM — Common artificial additive
  • ARTIFICIAL MINT FLAVOR — Vague natural or artificial flavor
  • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR) — Artificial color additive
  • RED 40 — Red dye is often debated

Highest concern ingredients

  • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR) (7/10) — Synthetic, unclear purposes
  • RED 40 (7/10) — Synthetic color additive

Better choice tips

  • Choose natural peppermint oil candies
  • Seek naturally colored options

Ingredients

Ingredient list

SUGAR, CORN STARCH, GLUCOSE SYRUP, PALM OIL, DEXTRIN, TAPIOCA STARCH, GUM ARABIC, CONFECTIONER'S GLAZE, SOY LECITHIN, XANTHAN GUM, ARTIFICIAL MINT FLAVOR, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR), RED 40, CARNAUBA WAX, RED 40 LAKE, RED 3, BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (ANTIOXIDANT).

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

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

  1. ARTIFICIAL MINT FLAVORConcern 7/10 — Higher concernFlavoring agentWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term

    What this is

    Flavoring agent

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Artificial flavoring can be vague.

    Additional note

    Synthetic flavoring.

    Family watchlist

    Vague natural or artificial flavor

  2. TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR)Concern 7/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Used for color; highly processed.

    Additional note

    White pigment; artificial color.

    Family watchlist

    Artificial color additive

  3. RED 40Concern 7/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Synthetic color; potential allergen.

    Additional note

    Synthetic red dye.

    Family watchlist

    Red dye is often debated

  4. RED 40 LAKEConcern 7/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Lakes are insoluble colorants.

    Additional note

    Synthetic color lake.

    Family watchlist

    Synthetic colorant

View all 17 ingredient assessments
  1. RED 3Concern 7/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Banned in some uses; debated safety.

    Additional note

    Synthetic red dye.

    Family watchlist

    Synthetic red dye

  2. CONFECTIONER'S GLAZEConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernGlazing agentWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Glazing agent

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Creates surface shine; source concerns.

    Additional note

    Coating derived from insects.

    Family watchlist

    Animal-derived ingredient

  3. BUTYLATED HYDROXYTOLUENE (ANTIOXIDANT)Concern 6/10 — Moderate concernPreservativeWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Preservative

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Highly processed, synthetic antioxidant.

    Additional note

    Preservative in fats and oils.

    Family watchlist

    Common in synthetic additives

  4. GLUCOSE SYRUPConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    High-glycemic syrup.

    Additional note

    Processed syrup sweetener.

    Family watchlist

    Processed sugar alternative

  5. PALM OILConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Palm oil is highly processed.

    Additional note

    Refined vegetable oil.

    Family watchlist

    Refined oil and sustainability concerns

  6. XANTHAN GUMConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernThickenerWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Used in many processed foods.

    Additional note

    Thickening agent.

    Family watchlist

    Common artificial additive

  7. GUM ARABICConcern 4/10 — Mild concernThickenerWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Color and flavor stabilizer.

    Additional note

    Natural emulsifier and thickener.

    Family watchlist

    Common in processed foods

  8. CORN STARCHConcern 3/10 — Mild concernThickener

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Refined from corn; used as thickener.

    Additional note

    Refined thickener.

  9. DEXTRINConcern 3/10 — Mild concernThickenerAdditive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Processed from starch; used for thickness.

    Additional note

    Soluble fiber; processing aid.

  10. SOY LECITHINConcern 3/10 — Mild concernEmulsifierAdditive

    What this is

    Emulsifier

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Stabilizes mixed ingredients.

    Additional note

    Emulsifier from soy.

  11. CARNAUBA WAXConcern 3/10 — Mild concernGlazing agentWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Glazing agent

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Used for glossy finish in candies.

    Additional note

    Natural coating agent.

    Family watchlist

    Common in non-food applications

  12. SUGARConcern 2/10 — Very low concernSweetener

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Refined sugar is highly processed.

    Additional note

    Common sweetener.

  13. TAPIOCA STARCHConcern 2/10 — Very low concernThickener

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Used for texture in foods.

    Additional note

    Tapioca-derived thickener.

This score does not reflect medical safety or health effects. 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.

  • Minimally Processed Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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 (Highly processed)

    This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Whole-Food Focused Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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 (Highly processed)

    This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Reduce Ultra-Processed Foods

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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 (Highly processed)

    This product has 3 additional signals for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Paleo-Style Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary 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", "soy". See ingredients for details.)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Low-Spike Stability

    Neutral

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.

    See more for this goal

  • Heart-Healthy Eating

    Neutral

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the Food Integrity data do not show a strong matching signal for this product.

    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 Great Value Sprinkle Mix, Peppermint Crunch Candies highly processed?

Food Integrity lists processing level as Highly 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 Sprinkle Mix, Peppermint Crunch Candies shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Great Value Sprinkle Mix, Peppermint Crunch Candies: 3g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: Low sodium; No saturated fat.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: High added sugar; Artificial colors; Artificial flavor.

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.

Other published analyses in Sweets & Desserts, selected from the same Food Quality Guide catalog.

Source data and Food Quality Guide analysis

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Food Quality 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

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