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Hershey Chocolate Cookies N Cream contains sugar, vegetable oil (cocoa butter, palm, shea, sunflower oil and or safflower oil, palm kernel), non fat milk, corn syrup solids, enriched wheat flour ( wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin and folic acid), lactose (milk), partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (soybean and/or cottonseed oil), cocoa processed with alkali, whey (milk), high fructose corn syrup, chocolate. Soy lecithin, sodium bicarbonate, salt, natural and artificial flavours, tocopherols,(PGPR, emulsifier), caramel colour.
In a serving of 42 gm of the cookies, it contains a whopping 20 gm sugar. Products with such high levels of sugar must be sparingly consumed, even by the healthy. They are not suitable for people with obesity, diabetes or lifestyle diseases.
It contains vegetable oil- palm oil. Palm oil is generally a safe oil as unlike most other vegetable oils, palm is primarily saturated fat. It does not have too much PUFA, which can get oxidized under heat and is often rendered toxic.
However, last year, the safety authority delivered a scientific report that current levels of glycerol-based process contaminants found in palm oil are a “potential health concern.” Animal studies have identified these contaminants, which are formed when vegetable oils are heated to high temperatures and then refined, as both genotoxic (damaging to DNA) and carcinogenic (causing cancer). Of all vegetable oils, palm oil was found to have the highest levels of these contaminants. At high levels of exposure, these contaminants are a health hazard for all age groups, the authority concluded, expressing particular concern for infants, toddlers and children under the age of 10.
It contains sunflower oil and/or safflower oil as an ingredient, certain vegetable oils contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess.
The product also contains partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (soybean and/or cottonseed oil). Partially Hydrogenated and Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids or “transfats”, which are harmful to health. Transfats increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other ailments.
The foodnetindia rating for this product :-
foodnetindia safety rating: 3 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
This product contains 20 gm sugar and high fat content of 11 gm in just 42 gm serving. It has salt as well. This is an HFSS food.
It also contains partially hydrogenated oils which are a source of trans fatty acids or “transfats”, which are harmful to health. Transfats increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other ailments.
foodnetindia wholesomeness rating: 2 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
Even though the product contains nutritious milk solids and cocoa solids, it cannot be considered a wholesome product as it is high in sugar and simple starches. This should be eaten in small quantities only as a part of an otherwise wholesome meal plan; and that too only by the healthy.
Ingredients of concern in Hershey’s Chocolate Cookies N Cream
- Sugar
- Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil
- Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (soybean and/or cottonseed oil)
- Salt
- Added flavours Artificial flavouring substances
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
Sugar
This food product contains 20 gm sugar per 42 gm of the product. It does not specify which sugar has been used. This is important because different sugars have different metabolic effects. For example, Sucrose (Cane Sugar) is very different from Fructose (Fruit Sugar). Some foods use high fructose corn syrup which may be harmful in much lower quantities than sucrose. We believe that it is not responsible behaviour for a brand to not clearly state what ingredients have been used.
Sugar is a carbohydrate found naturally in a host of different foods from lactose in milk to the fructose in fruit and honey. In fact, we need some sugar in our diets to supply ready energy to fuel our muscles and keep our brains active. The problem is that many processed foods have added sugar which supplies energy in the form of calories – and very little else. This means our body has to draw on the nutrients from the rest of our diet to process it and this can affect our health, including our immunity – leaving us more prone to bugs and colds. A high intake of sugar causes our blood sugar levels to shoot up, giving us that feel-good ‘high’ followed by a crashing slump which leaves us tired, irritable and craving more sugary foods. It’s a vicious cycle that may be contributing to our weight problems as well as health concerns like diabetes and heart disease.
Vegetable oil- Sunflower Oil and/or Safflower Oil
Sunflower and/or Safflower Oil may contain very large amounts of biologically active fats called Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which could be harmful in excess. Excess polyunsaturated fats may react with oxygen and oxidised Omega-6 fats can damage body functions and perhaps even vital structures like DNA.
Added Flavours-Artificial Flavour
This product does not specify the chemical names of the flavours used and does not mention the quantity used either. While we understand that the legal labelling requirements allow this practice, we find it irresponsible that brands do not self disclose.
Some people are allergic to some of these chemicals and others may want to avoid them. Consumers have a right to know and decide.
Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil- Soybean and/or Cottonseed oil
Partially Hydrogenated and Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids or “transfats”, which are harmful to health. Transfats increase the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, cancer and many other ailments.
Transfats are toxic and some cities like New York have banned them from use in restaurants.
Transfats have been shown to consistently be associated, in an intake-dependent way, with risk of coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death. They may also be responsible for alzheimer’s disease, cancer, liver disease and many more ailments.
Salt
High sodium diets have been known to be the cause of high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. The recommended daily intake of salt is between 1-3 grams.
High Fructose Corn Syrup
High-fructose corn syrup is a used as a common sweetener in sodas and fruit-flavored drinks. High-fructose corn syrup is chemically similar to table sugar. Controversy exists, however, about whether the body handles high-fructose corn syrup differently than table sugar.
Too much added sugar— not just high-fructose corn syrup — can contribute unwanted calories that are linked to health problems, such as weight gain, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and high triglyceride levels. All of these boost your risk of heart disease.
Other ingredients that are in the product but not a major source of concern in our opinion are:
- Refined wheat flour
- Vegetable oil (cocoa butter, palm, shea, palm kernel),
- Non fat milk,
- Corn syrup solids,
- Enriched wheat flour ( wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin and folic acid),
- Lactose (milk),
- Cocoa processed with alkali,
- Whey (milk),
- Soy lecithin,
- Sodium bicarbonate,
- Natural flavours,
- Tocopherols,
- PGPR,
- Emulsifier,
- Caramel colour
Disclaimer – The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information. foodnetindia encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional.
The ingredients list of the product may have changed since this page was published. Consumers are encouraged to read warnings, labels, ingredient lists, etc.
Replies, if any, from the brand, will be published here ‘As is’