Hot Cocoa Mix

Why it's rated this way

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

1. AspartameModerate concernSweetener; classified as possibly carcinogenic, though the evidence is contested and intake-dependent.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Sweetener; classified as possibly carcinogenic, though the evidence is contested and intake-dependent.

   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. 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.

3. CarrageenanMinor concernDegraded carrageenan, and in some animal/in-vitro studies food-grade carrageenan, are linked to intestinal inflammation; human evidence is limited and contested.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Degraded carrageenan, and in some animal/in-vitro studies food-grade carrageenan, are linked to intestinal inflammation; human evidence is limited and contested.

   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. 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.

5. Acesulfame KMinor concernSweetener; broadly assessed safe but some consumer-avoidance and limited animal-study questions.

   What it is

   Its role isn't recorded in our data yet.

   Why it's flagged

   Sweetener; broadly assessed safe but some consumer-avoidance and limited animal-study questions.

   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.