Does Great Value Ice Cream Have High Fructose Corn Syrup?

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

Ingredients in Great Value products vary significantly by item and can change over time. So, does Great Value ice cream have high fructose corn syrup? The definitive answer depends on the specific flavor and product you are examining.

Quick Summary

Some Great Value ice cream items contain high fructose corn syrup, while others use a different sweetener blend. Consumers should check the ingredient list for the specific flavor they purchase, as formulations are not uniform across the brand's offerings.

Key Points

Ingredient Variability: The presence of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in Great Value ice cream depends on the specific flavor and product variant.
Check the Label: Consumers should always read the ingredient list on the specific carton to confirm if it contains HFCS.
Flavor Dependent: Some versions, like certain standard vanilla tubs and swirl varieties, have been reported to contain HFCS, while other flavors may not.
Brand Manufacturer: Great Value is produced by third-party manufacturers, such as Wells Dairy, which can lead to different formulations across products.
Ingredient Changes: Product formulations can change over time due to shifts in cost or consumer preference, so a past experience may not reflect the current ingredients.
HFCS vs. Corn Syrup: Not all products with "corn syrup" contain "high fructose corn syrup"; they are different sweeteners, so check for the specific term.
Ultra-Processed Food: Some Great Value ice cream products, especially those containing HFCS and other additives, have been classified as ultra-processed.

Great Value Ice Cream and High Fructose Corn Syrup: It Depends on the Flavor

The question of whether Great Value ice cream contains high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a common one, and for good reason. It's a key consideration for many shoppers concerned about added sugars and processed ingredients. However, the answer is not a simple yes or no. The ingredient list for Great Value ice cream varies significantly depending on the specific product, flavor, and even the format, such as tubs versus ice cream sandwiches. This variability means that while some versions of Great Value ice cream do contain HFCS, others do not. You must always check the label of the specific product you intend to purchase.

Wells Dairy produces a significant portion of Walmart's Great Value ice cream, and ingredient transparency has become a focal point for many consumers. The use of sweeteners like HFCS is a cost-effective way to achieve sweetness and texture in mass-produced products, which helps keep prices down. For a store-brand like Great Value, this is a central part of its market strategy. However, consumer preferences for simpler, more recognizable ingredients are shifting, leading companies to reformulate products over time. This makes reading the label crucial, as older versions or specific flavor variations may still contain ingredients that have been removed from newer or different product lines.

Examples of Great Value Products and Their Sweeteners

To illustrate the product variability, here are some examples based on recent product information:

Vanilla Ice Cream Tubs: Some vanilla varieties have been confirmed to contain both corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup, alongside liquid sugar. This is a frequent point of discussion among consumers online.
Homestyle Vanilla Flavored Ice Cream: A listing for this particular variety showed milk, cream, sugar, and corn syrup, but did not specifically mention high fructose corn syrup.
Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Cream Cups: The ingredient list for these individual cups shows a blend of sugar, corn syrup, milk, cream, and buttermilk, but again, no explicit listing of high fructose corn syrup.
Strawberry Revel: An ingredient list for this flavor explicitly mentions 'Strawberry Swirl (Strawberry Puree Corn Syrup High Fructose Corn Syrup...)' indicating HFCS is present in the swirl component.
Ice Cream Variety Pack: Some variety packs contain a mix of different products. For example, a pack with vanilla ice cream sandwiches might list HFCS in the wafer part of the sandwich, but not in the ice cream itself.

Decoding the Ingredients List

Understanding the subtle differences in sweetener terminology on a food label is key to making an informed decision. While both are made from corn, high fructose corn syrup and regular corn syrup are distinct products with different compositions.

Corn Syrup: A liquid sweetener made from cornstarch, consisting primarily of glucose. It adds sweetness and prevents crystallization, which is why it's a common ingredient in many frozen desserts.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS): This is a processed sweetener derived from cornstarch, where enzymes are used to convert some of the glucose into fructose. It is known for its intense sweetness and lower cost compared to regular sugar.

How to Verify the Sweeteners in Your Ice Cream

To be certain about what is in your specific Great Value ice cream, follow these steps:

Read the Label: Always examine the ingredients list on the packaging before buying. It will clearly state what is included in that specific product.
Check the Sweetener Section: Pay close attention to ingredients like "sugar," "liquid sugar," "corn syrup," and "high fructose corn syrup." Some products may contain a combination of sweeteners.
Look for Variances: Don't assume that because one Great Value flavor lacks HFCS, they all do. The manufacturer adjusts recipes based on flavor and product type. The difference between a homestyle vanilla and a standard vanilla tub can be significant.
Stay Up-to-Date: Formulations can change. A product that didn't contain HFCS five years ago might now include it, or vice-versa. Checking the date on the package and referencing recent product information is a good practice.

Comparison Table: Great Value Vanilla Flavors


Feature	Great Value Vanilla Ice Cream (Example with HFCS)	Great Value Homestyle Vanilla Flavored Ice Cream (Example without HFCS)
Sweeteners Included	Liquid Sugar, Corn Syrup, High Fructose Corn Syrup	Sugar, Corn Syrup
Key Thickeners	Guar Gum, Carob Bean Gum, Carrageenan	Carob Bean Gum, Guar Gum
Emulsifiers	Mono and Diglycerides	Mono and Diglycerides
Texture	Often smoother and more consistent due to stabilizers and blend of sweeteners	May have a slightly different texture, depending on specific formulation
Noteworthy Ingredients	Multiple sweeteners, thickeners, and added coloring	Fewer sweeteners and thickeners listed

Conclusion

To definitively answer the question, "Does Great Value ice cream have high fructose corn syrup?", you must examine the specific product's ingredient list. While some varieties, particularly certain standard vanilla and swirl flavors, have been found to contain HFCS, other versions and newer recipes do not. The Great Value brand, which is produced by various manufacturers like Wells Dairy, is known for its ingredient variability and a focus on affordability. This often means that formulations may include a blend of sweeteners like corn syrup and HFCS. For the health-conscious consumer, the best practice is always to read the nutrition label carefully, as it's the only reliable source of truth regarding the contents of your ice cream carton. You can find more detailed ingredient analysis on sites like Open Food Facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some standard vanilla ice cream tubs and swirl flavors, like Strawberry Revel, have been documented to contain high fructose corn syrup. However, specific ingredients can change, so you should always check the label of the flavor you are buying.

No, the ingredients vary significantly depending on the specific flavor and product type. For instance, the ingredients in a pint of Homestyle Vanilla may differ from those in a large tub of standard Vanilla.

Corn syrup is a sweetener made of glucose, while high fructose corn syrup is a more processed sweetener where enzymes convert some of the glucose to fructose, making it sweeter and cheaper to produce.

As an affordable store brand, Great Value ice cream formulations are designed to be cost-effective. This often means using economical sweeteners and additives to achieve desired sweetness, texture, and stability.

By reading the label, you can assess the quality of ingredients. Products with a simpler list of core ingredients like milk, cream, and sugar are generally considered higher-quality than those with a longer list of sweeteners and thickeners.

Yes, manufacturers, including those producing Great Value products, can and do change their formulations. This can be influenced by market trends, ingredient costs, and consumer demand for simpler ingredients.

The most reliable source is always the product's ingredient list on the packaging. Additionally, websites like Open Food Facts and EWG's Food Scores can sometimes provide ingredient and processing information, though it is always best to double-check the current product.