Little Debbie
Flavor:
Chocolate Cupcakes
Ingredients:
Sugar, Water, Enriched Bleached Flour (Wheat Flour, Barley Malt, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2], Folic Acid), Soybean Oil, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Dried Eggs, Sorbitol, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Palm and Soybean Oils with TBHQ (Tert-butylhydroquinone) and Citric Acid to Protect Flavor, Invert Sugar, Contains 2% or Less of Each of the Following: Palm and Palm Kernel Oil, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Soy Lecithin, Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Palm Oil, Chocolate, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Calcium Phosphate), Caramel Color, Dextrose, Mono- and Diglycerides, Sorbitan Monostearate, Lactic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Lactate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Calcium Sulfate, Polysorbate 60, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Sorbic Acid (to Preserve Freshness), Propylene Glycol Monostearate, Whey (Milk), Titanium Dioxide, Agar, Locust Bean Gum, Red #40, Soy Flour, Citric Acid.
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
This product receives a 1/5 green leaf rating. The Little Debbie Chocolate Cupcakes are not organic and contain genetically modified (GMO) ingredients. They feature a range of added sugars including sugar, citric acid, and fructose. Beyond these, the product also incorporates additional sweeteners like dextrose, sorbitol, and corn syrup which contribute to the low score.
The ingredient list reveals the presence of potentially harmful additives such as natural and artificial flavors, diglycerides, polysorbate 60, soy lecithin, xanthan gum, and caramel color. More concerning are the known harmful additives like artificial flavors, caramel color, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, TBHQ, maltodextrin, and Red 40. The use of various oils—soybean oil, palm kernel oil, and palm oil—is another factor that detracts from the product’s healthfulness.
High fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors are particularly noteworthy for their negative health implications, and their presence further justifies the low rating.
The cupcakes’ composition reflects a reliance on ingredients that are not aligned with cleaner food options. The array of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, multiple types of added sugars, and a litany of additives and harmful oils underscores the product’s position at the bottom of the health scale.
The product’s 1/5 green leaf rating is a clear indicator that it does not meet the standards for those seeking healthier, cleaner food choices. With the aim of guiding consumers towards better options in a market saturated with unhealthy products, the score reflects the importance of ingredient transparency and the need for food choices that support well-being. Consumers looking for cleaner options are advised to consider other products that align more closely with health-conscious standards.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
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How We Rate
Every company today has a responsibility to be a net positive for the planet,
for society, and for our ecosystem