Do Fruit Snacks Count as Candy? Unpacking the Truth Behind Gummy Treats

January 2, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, many fruit snacks are made primarily of sugars, including corn syrup and concentrated fruit juice. This raises a critical question for many consumers: do fruit snacks count as candy, or are they a genuinely healthier option? The answer lies in a closer look at the ingredients and nutritional profiles.

Quick Summary

Despite being marketed as a healthy option, most fruit snacks are nutritionally more akin to gummy bears and other candies. They are packed with various forms of sugar, artificial colors, and flavors, and lack the fiber and nutrients found in whole fruit. The 'made with real fruit' claim is often misleading, with processed fruit concentrates making up a small portion of the product.

Key Points

Nutritionally Aligned with Candy: Most fruit snacks are nutritionally very similar to gummy candies, being primarily composed of sugar and corn syrup.
Misleading Marketing: Brands often use images of fresh fruit and cartoon characters to market these sugary treats as healthy, especially to children.
Minimal Fruit, Maximum Sugar: Despite claims like 'made with real fruit,' the actual fruit content is low and often derived from processed, concentrated juices that lack fiber.
Fiber is Absent: Unlike whole fruit, which contains fiber to regulate sugar absorption, fruit snacks deliver a quick dose of 'free sugars' that can cause blood sugar spikes.
Additives and Artificial Colors: Both fruit snacks and gummy candies commonly contain similar artificial flavors and food dyes.

The Deceptive 'Health Halo' of Fruit Snacks

Fruit snacks are often marketed as wholesome snacks, creating a 'health halo' that can be misleading. However, examining their ingredients and nutritional information reveals that most are similar to candy, offering minimal nutritional value and a significant amount of sugar.

Comparing Ingredients: Fruit Snacks vs. Gummy Candy

Comparing the ingredients of typical fruit snacks and gummy candies highlights their similarities. Both lists often feature corn syrup and sugar as the primary ingredients. While fruit snacks may contain some fruit puree or juice, it's often processed, low in concentration, and has reduced nutritional benefits. Both also commonly include additives and preservatives like gelatin, citric acid, artificial flavors, and food dyes. Some artificial colors found in these products have been linked to potential behavioral issues in children. The claim "made with real fruit" is often based on highly processed fruit juice concentrate rather than whole fruit, which lacks the beneficial fiber and water content.

The Nutritional Showdown: Fruit Snacks vs. Whole Fruit

The nutritional difference between a fruit snack and whole fruit is substantial. Whole fruits like oranges provide natural sugars along with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help regulate sugar absorption. Fruit snacks, on the other hand, provide quick, 'free' sugars without the benefits of fiber, potentially causing rapid blood sugar spikes. A nutritionist points out that a serving of a popular fruit snack contains 90 calories, which is equivalent to consuming 40 fresh strawberries, with strawberries offering significantly more nutrients.

Misleading Marketing Tactics

Food companies frequently use aggressive marketing to portray fruit snacks as healthy choices, targeting parents and children with appealing packaging featuring cartoon characters and prominent placement in stores. This marketing makes it challenging for consumers to understand the true nutritional value and contributes to the question of whether fruit snacks count as candy.

Comparison Table: Fruit Snacks vs. Gummy Bears


Feature	Typical Fruit Snack	Typical Gummy Bear	Key Difference
Primary Sweeteners	Corn syrup, sugar, concentrated fruit juice	Corn syrup, sugar, dextrose	Both are primarily sugar-based, with fruit snacks potentially using fruit juice concentrate.
Ingredients	Fruit puree, corn syrup, sugar, modified cornstarch, gelatin, artificial flavors, colors, vitamins	Corn syrup, sugar, gelatin, citric acid, artificial flavors, food dyes	The core formulation is very similar, with fruit snacks often having a small amount of fruit-derived ingredient and added vitamins.
Nutritional Profile	High in sugar, low in fiber and nutrients. Added vitamins are often a distraction	High in sugar, virtually no nutritional value	Minimal difference in nutritional impact; added vitamins in fruit snacks offer marginal benefit compared to whole fruit.
Marketing	Promoted as a healthy, fruit-based snack for children	Marketed as a confectionary treat	The most significant difference is in the marketing; fruit snacks masquerade as a healthier choice.
Taxation	Can sometimes be taxed differently than candy in certain jurisdictions	Typically taxed as a non-essential confectionary item	Some state tax codes differentiate, but the nutritional reality remains similar.

Making Healthier Choices

Treating fruit snacks as occasional treats rather than nutritional staples is important. When craving sweets, consider healthier options like unsweetened dried fruit for fiber, fresh whole fruit for comprehensive nutrients, or pairing fruit with protein or fat sources like nuts or yogurt to manage blood sugar and increase fullness.

Conclusion: More Candy Than Fruit

The evidence suggests that most fruit snacks should be considered candy. Despite marketing that suggests otherwise, their formulation and nutritional profile are comparable to gummy candies, with high levels of added sugar, artificial ingredients, and a lack of essential fiber and nutrients found in whole fruit. While some added vitamins might be present, they don't change the fundamental nature of these as sugary treats. Understanding the reality behind the marketing helps consumers make better choices for genuinely nutritious snacks.

For further reading on the deceptive nature of these products, you can explore the Center for Science in the Public Interest report on "phony fruit snacks."

Frequently Asked Questions

The main ingredients in most conventional fruit snacks are various forms of sugar, such as corn syrup and sugar, which often appear first on the ingredient list.

Generally, no. Most fruit snacks are very similar to candy, containing high levels of sugar and artificial ingredients with very little fiber or nutritional value.

Not necessarily. The term 'made with real fruit' can be misleading, as it often refers to small amounts of fruit concentrate, which is processed and lacks the fiber and nutrients of whole fruit.

Some fruit snack brands add vitamins and minerals to create a 'health halo' and make their product seem more nutritious. However, this fortification doesn't compensate for the high sugar content.

Fruit juice concentrate is essentially fruit juice with the water removed. It is a more concentrated form of fruit sugar and is often used in fruit snacks, sometimes with additional sugar added.

Read the ingredient label carefully. If sugar, corn syrup, or fruit concentrate is listed as the first ingredient, the product is likely more similar to candy. Look for options with whole fruit listed first and no added sugar.

Healthier alternatives include unsweetened dried fruit, fresh whole fruit, or combining fruit with a protein source like nuts or yogurt to help regulate blood sugar levels.