Core Sweeteners and Thickeners
At the top of the ingredient list for many Great Value fruit snacks are sweeteners, which provide their signature sweet taste. Sugar and corn syrup are the primary components, often making up a significant portion of the snack's total weight. This is a common practice across the fruit snack industry, where sweetness and texture are prioritized. The use of corn syrup also contributes to the snack's chewy consistency and acts as a preservative.
Following the sweeteners, modified cornstarch and regular cornstarch are used as thickening agents. These ingredients give the fruit snacks their gummy, chewable texture and help maintain their shape. For a similar purpose, some varieties may include pea starch.
Fruit Concentrates and Flavorings
While the name suggests real fruit, the actual fruit content is often a small amount of fruit juice concentrate. For example, apple juice concentrate is frequently listed, providing a base flavor but not the full nutritional profile of fresh fruit. The vibrant, specific fruit flavors like strawberry, grape, and watermelon are not solely derived from this concentrate but are enhanced by a combination of natural and artificial flavors. These flavorings are complex chemical mixtures designed to mimic the taste of real fruit.
Artificial Colors and Additives
Great Value fruit snacks get their eye-catching colors from synthetic food dyes. Common dyes found in these products include Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, and Blue 1. These additives have raised health concerns for some consumers, particularly parents, who prefer to avoid artificial colorants in their children's food. In contrast, some organic or naturally colored versions use fruit and vegetable juices for coloring.
Additionally, several other additives contribute to the snack's texture and shelf stability. Citric acid provides a tangy flavor and acts as a preservative. Carnauba wax gives the gummies their shiny, non-sticky coating, while white mineral oil is used to ensure they do not stick together in the pouch.
A Detailed List of Ingredients
This list is a summary based on common varieties like "Original Fruit Smiles" and "Tangy Fruit Smiles". Ingredient formulations can vary, so it is always best to check the specific product packaging.
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Apple Juice Concentrate
- Modified Cornstarch
- Cornstarch
- Canola Oil
- Citric Acid
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sodium Citrate
- White Mineral Oil
- Carnauba Wax
- Red 40
- Yellow 6
- Yellow 5
- Blue 1
This composition reveals that the snack's defining characteristics are mostly derived from processed and synthetic ingredients, not whole fruits. The added Vitamin C is a frequent marketing point, but it does not outweigh the high sugar content and lack of other nutrients found in real fruit.
Great Value vs. Name Brand Fruit Snacks
| Feature | Great Value Fruit Snacks | Name Brand (e.g., Welch's) |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Primary ingredients are sugar, corn syrup, and modified cornstarch. Uses synthetic food dyes. | Also uses sugar and corn syrup, but may vary slightly in type and proportions. Uses synthetic dyes unless stated otherwise. |
| Real Fruit Content | Uses apple juice concentrate, a minimal fruit content. | May use a mix of fruit purees and juice concentrates for slightly more fruit substance. |
| Texture | Generally reported as softer and potentially more prone to sticking. | Users often describe a firmer, less sticky texture. |
| Flavor | Naturally and artificially flavored. Some users report a more chemical taste in newer batches. | Natural and artificial flavors. Often perceived as having a more natural or distinct flavor. |
| Cost | Budget-friendly private label, typically lower in price. | Higher price point per ounce due to branding and marketing. |
Health and Nutrition Considerations
Given the ingredients, it's important to view Great Value fruit snacks as a candy-like treat rather than a nutritional food source. The Environmental Working Group classifies these snacks as unhealthy and ultra-processed, pointing out that some versions are up to 70% sugar by weight. While the addition of Vitamin C is a positive, it is a fortified vitamin and does not make up for the absence of fiber, vitamins, and minerals present in whole fruit. For a truly healthy option, fresh or dried fruit, or fruit snacks with minimal added sugar and no artificial additives, would be a better choice.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the ingredient list for Great Value fruit snacks paints a clear picture: they are a sweet, chewy confection rather than a fruit-based nutritional product. Dominated by sugar, corn syrup, thickeners like modified cornstarch, and artificial additives for color and flavor, they are a budget-friendly snack that provides minimal nutritional value outside of added Vitamin C. Consumers prioritizing whole food ingredients, natural colors, or lower sugar content would be better served exploring the organic or premium market alternatives. For those seeking an inexpensive candy-like treat, the Great Value option remains a popular choice.
For more information on the processing and additives found in many fruit snacks, the Center for Science in the Public Interest provides useful context.
