Hostess, cupcakes

Why it's rated this way

9 additives on this label are on our additives-of-concern list.

1. TartrazineHigh concernSouthampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Southampton study link to hyperactivity/attention effects in children; can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

2. Sunset yellow FCFHigh concernSouthampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Southampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

3. Allura red ACHigh concernSouthampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Southampton Six colour; hyperactivity/attention concern in children.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

4. Titanium dioxideHigh concernPossible genotoxicity (DNA/chromosomal damage) could not be ruled out; no longer considered safe as a food additive.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Possible genotoxicity (DNA/chromosomal damage) could not be ruled out; no longer considered safe as a food additive.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

5. Ammonia caramelModerate concernCaramel colour class III; may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), an animal carcinogen.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Caramel colour class III; may contain 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), an animal carcinogen.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

6. Sodium phosphatesMinor concernInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

7. Calcium phosphatesMinor concernInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

8. DiphosphatesMinor concernInorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Inorganic phosphate additives are highly bioavailable; high additive-phosphate intake is associated with increased cardiovascular and kidney burden, particularly in chronic kidney disease.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

9. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)Minor concernSynthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Synthetic emulsifier linked in animal and in-vitro studies to gut-microbiome disruption and intestinal inflammation; human evidence is emerging.

   Regulatory basis

   Greenveil's curated additives-of-concern list, which cites the authority behind each entry.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. Matched by the additive code declared on the label.

A food's rating also reflects nutrition (Nutri-Score) and processing (NOVA); the additives above are the ingredient-level part of it.