Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach
Gushers Tropical Fruit Flavored Snacks: Food Integrity analysis
Quick answer
Lower integrity
Gushers tropical fruit flavored snacks received a Food Integrity Score of 35 out of 100 (lower integrity). This reflects ultra-processed and high additive load. This is a candy-style fruit snack built mostly from refined sweeteners, starches, and texture helpers, with pear puree playing a minor role. The label leans on several artificial colors and vague flavor components, so it reads as a treat to enjoy occasionally rather than often. Main considerations include multiple refined sweeteners lead the ingredient list, several artificial colors present, and vague natural and artificial flavor system. Simpler options: Look for fruit snacks colored with fruit and vegetable juices; choose options sweetened mainly with dried fruit or pear puree.
Food Integrity Score 35/100
What stood out on the label?
- Ultra-processed
- High additive load
- Transparency: Medium
What to watch?
- Multiple refined sweeteners lead the ingredient list
- Several artificial colors present
- Vague natural and artificial flavor system
Simpler options to consider
- Look for fruit snacks colored with fruit and vegetable juices
- Choose options sweetened mainly with dried fruit or pear puree
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
- Gushers Tropical Fruit Flavored Snacks
- Brand
- Gushers
- Category
- Snacks
- GTIN / UPC
00016000194045- Serving size
- 37 g (37.2)
- 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
Tropical Fruit Flavored Snacks
Gushers
Lower integrity
Warning Signs
Corn syrup, sugar, fructose, and maltodextrin lead the list, with artificial colors Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellows 5 & 6 included.
Consider This
Modified corn starch, glycerin, carrageenan, xanthan gum, monoglycerides, and natural and artificial flavor point to a factory-formulated texture and flavor system.
Good Substitutes
Chewy fruit snacks sweetened with dried fruit or pear puree, colored with fruit and vegetable juices, and thickened simply with pectin.
Overall Assessment
Lower integrityThis is a candy-style fruit snack built mostly from refined sweeteners, starches, and texture helpers, with pear puree playing a minor role. The label leans on several artificial colors and vague flavor components, so it reads as a treat to enjoy occasionally rather than often.
Key Highlights
What stood out
- Multiple refined sweeteners lead the ingredient list
- Several artificial colors present
- Vague natural and artificial flavor system
Family Watchlist
Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.
- Color (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellows 5 & 6) — Artificial colors many users prefer to avoid
- Natural and Artificial Flavor — Vague flavor system
- Corn Syrup, Sugar, Fructose, Maltodextrin — Refined sweeteners and starches
- Palm Oil, Cottonseed Oil — Refined industrial oils
- Monoglycerides, Carrageenan, Xanthan Gum, Modified Corn Starch — Emulsifiers, gums, and modified starch
Highest concern ingredients
- Color (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellows 5 & 6) (8/10) — Artificial colors many users prefer to avoid.
- Natural and Artificial Flavor (7/10) — Vague flavor system with artificial components.
- Corn Syrup (6/10) — Refined sweetener forming a major share of the sugar load.
Better choice tips
- Look for fruit snacks colored with fruit and vegetable juices.
- Choose options sweetened mainly with dried fruit or pear puree.
Ingredients
Ingredient list
Corn Syrup, Sugar, Pear Puree, Modified Corn Starch, Fructose, Maltodextrin, Palm Oil. Contains 2% or less of: Cottonseed Oil, Glycerin, Grape Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Carrageenan, Monoglycerides, Sodium Citrate, Malic Acid, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Natural and Artificial Flavor, Potassium Citrate, Agar-Agar, Xanthan Gum, Color (red 40, blue 1, yellows 5 & 6).
Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.
Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.
Color (Red 40)Concern 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
Artificial color many users prefer to avoid.
Additional note
Artificial red color additive.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users track.
Color (Blue 1)Concern 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
Artificial color many users prefer to avoid.
Additional note
Artificial blue color additive.
Family watchlist
Artificial color many users track.
Color (Yellows 5 & 6)Concern 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
Artificial colors many users prefer to avoid.
Additional note
Artificial yellow color additives.
Family watchlist
Artificial colors many users track.
Natural and Artificial FlavorConcern 7/10 — Higher concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term
What this is
Vague ingredient
Processing category
Unknown / not listed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Vague flavor blend hides exact sourcing and components.
Additional note
Vague flavor system mixing natural and artificial inputs.
Family watchlist
Vague flavor system many users track.
View all 23 ingredient assessments
Corn SyrupConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined sweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Refined sweetener
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Refined syrup makes up a major share of the sugar load.
Additional note
Refined sweetener syrup used as main bulk sweetener.
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener many users track.
Modified Corn StarchConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernModified starchWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Modified starch
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Modified starch signals texture engineering in the formula.
Additional note
Chemically or physically altered starch used for texture.
Family watchlist
Modified starch many users track.
CarrageenanConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernGelling agentWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Gelling agent
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Gum-type stabilizer many users want to track.
Additional note
Seaweed-derived gelling and stabilizing agent.
Family watchlist
Gum-type stabilizer many users track.
MonoglyceridesConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernEmulsifierWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Emulsifier
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Emulsifier adds formulation engineering to texture.
Additional note
Emulsifier used to blend fats and water.
Family watchlist
Emulsifier many users track.
Xanthan GumConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernThickenerWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Thickener
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Family Watchlist
Why it matters
Gum-type thickener many users want to track.
Additional note
Fermentation-derived thickener and stabilizer.
Family watchlist
Gum-type thickener many users track.
FructoseConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined sweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Refined sweetener
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Isolated sugar adds to the refined sweetener stack.
Additional note
Isolated simple sugar added as a sweetener.
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener many users track.
MaltodextrinConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined starchWatchlist · Additive
What this is
Refined starch
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Processing
Why it matters
Heavily refined starch adds bulk and processing signal.
Additional note
Refined starch derivative used as filler and sweetness carrier.
Family watchlist
Refined starch derivative many users track.
Palm OilConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist
What this is
Refined oil
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Industrial oil used to shape texture in the formula.
Additional note
Industrial vegetable oil used for texture and mouthfeel.
Family watchlist
Refined industrial oil many users track.
Cottonseed OilConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist
What this is
Refined oil
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Refined seed oil appears as a minor component.
Additional note
Refined seed oil present in small amount.
Family watchlist
Refined seed oil many users track.
SugarConcern 4/10 — Mild concernRefined sweetenerWatchlist
What this is
Refined sweetener
Processing category
Natural refined
Main concern area
Ingredient concern
Why it matters
Adds substantial refined sugar to a candy-style snack.
Additional note
Refined sucrose used as primary sweetener.
Family watchlist
Refined sweetener many users track.
GlycerinConcern 3/10 — Mild concernHumectantAdditive
What this is
Humectant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Functions as a moisture-retaining formulation helper.
Additional note
Humectant used to keep the texture soft.
Sodium CitrateConcern 3/10 — Mild concernAcidity regulatorAdditive
What this is
Acidity regulator
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Acidity regulator with a minor formulation role.
Additional note
Buffering salt that controls acidity.
Potassium CitrateConcern 3/10 — Mild concernAcidity regulatorAdditive
What this is
Acidity regulator
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Buffering salt with a mild formulation role.
Additional note
Buffering salt used to control acidity.
Agar-AgarConcern 3/10 — Mild concernGelling agentAdditive
What this is
Gelling agent
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Gelling agent adding to the texture system.
Additional note
Seaweed-derived gelling agent.
Grape Juice ConcentrateConcern 2/10 — Very low concernFruit concentrate
What this is
Fruit concentrate
Processing category
Processed
Why it matters
Fruit-derived but concentrated and minor in amount.
Additional note
Concentrated fruit juice used for flavor and color.
Citric AcidConcern 2/10 — Very low concernAcidulantAdditive
What this is
Acidulant
Processing category
Processed
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Common acidulant with a mild formulation role.
Additional note
Acidulant for tang and preservation support.
Malic AcidConcern 2/10 — Very low concernAcidulantAdditive
What this is
Acidulant
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Main concern area
Additive load
Why it matters
Mild acidulant used for flavor tang.
Additional note
Acidulant adding tartness.
Pear PureeConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food
What this is
Simple food
Processing category
Whole food
Why it matters
Fruit appears but ranks well below the sweeteners.
Additional note
Fruit-based ingredient, though listed after several sweeteners.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernVitamin
What this is
Vitamin
Processing category
Synthetic / man-made
Why it matters
Added vitamin with minimal formulation concern.
Additional note
Added vitamin used for nutrient fortification.
KarbCoach Food Integrity is a label-based ingredient profile estimate, 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 on watchlist (see Food Integrity)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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", "fructose". 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 on watchlist (see Food Integrity)
This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.
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", "fructose". 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", "maltodextrin", "corn starch". 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", "maltodextrin", "corn starch". 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 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 "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 Gushers Tropical Fruit Flavored Snacks 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?
Gushers Tropical Fruit Flavored Snacks shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.
Does it contain added sugar?
Gushers Tropical Fruit Flavored Snacks: 16g 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: Small single-serving portion; Contains some pear puree and grape juice concentrate; Low saturated fat and sodium.
What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?
Key concerns noted include: Corn syrup and sugar lead the ingredient list; 16g sugar per serving, mostly added; Artificial colors (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5 & 6).
Who might evaluate this product differently?
People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same snacks 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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