Summary Feedback
Skittles is a chewy fruit flavoured candy with a sugar shell and is brightly coloured.
The product seems to contain only sugar, because in 100 gm of the product, it contains 90 gm sugar. Given the amount of sugar that kids are consuming nowadays from all sources, we do not recommend this product at all for kids or adults.
The product contains palm oil as an ingredient which is considered to be a safer alternative in comparison to other vegetable oils, palmolein is primarily saturated fat, it is better suited for cooking. 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.
The foodnetindia rating for this product:-
The foodnetindia safety rating : 2 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unsafe to very safe)
Skittles Original are very high in sugar content and we do not consider such products as safe for children or adults.
The foodnetindia wholesomeness rating : 1 – (On a scale of 1 to 10 from very unbalanced nutrition profile to excellent nutrition profile)
There is nothing going for Skittles in the nutrition department and the overall high content of sugar in the product makes it unsuitable for the health of kids and adults alike.
Ingredients in Skittles Original which are a concern
- Sugar
- Glucose Syrup
Sugar
This food product 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.
Glucose Syrup
Glucose syrup, also known as confectioner’s glucose, is a syrup made from the hydrolisis of starch. Glucose is a sugar. Excessive sugar consumption is linked to a wide variety of metabolic diseases.
Ingredients present in Skittles Original which are not a concern
- Palm Oil
- Acidity Regulators IN 330, IN 331(iii)
- Dextrin
- Modified Starch
- Colours (Titanium Dioxide, Tartrazine, Allura Red, Sunset Yellow, Indigo Carmine, Brilliant Blue)
- Glazing Agent- Carnauba Wax
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 products may have changed since this page was published. Consumers are encouraged to read warnings, labels, ingredient lists, etc.
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