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Hostess cupcakes

Hostess cupcakes nutrition label, ingredients and packaging

Not Vegan

Contains 'milk'

Health ScorePoor
0/100

Banned in EU

Contains Titanium Dioxide.

Calories
378
Sugar
42g
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Family & Pet Safety

🚫

Not Dog Safe 🐶❌

❌ TOXIC: Theobromine causes heart failure.
Ref: ASPCA
❌ TOXIC: High Theobromine content.
Ref: ASPCA
⚠️ SODIUM ION POISONING: Vomiting, seizures (in high doses).
Ref: Merck Vet
🤰

Pregnancy Safe? 🤰✅

Safe for consumption.

👶

Limit for Kids 👶⚠️

Too much sugar (>25g) for kids. ()

Ingredient Decoder

High Risk Additives

Corn Syrup

A liquid sweetener consisting of essentially pure glucose. It causes rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, contributing to energy crashes and long-term metabolic issues.

Titanium Dioxide

A whitening agent (E171) used in candies and pastries. It has been banned in the EU due to concerns that its nanoparticles could damage DNA (genotoxicity).

Mono- and Diglycerides

Emulsifiers that can contain small amounts of trans fats, but loophole laws allow foods containing them to be labeled '0g Trans Fat'.

Moderate Caution

Palm Oil

A vegetable fat high in saturated fatty acids. Its massive production is a primary driver of deforestation, endangering species like orangutans. Refined palm oil may also contain harmful contaminants.

Soybean Oil

A ubiquitous vegetable oil high in Omega-6 fatty acids. Excessive consumption of Omega-6s without balancing Omega-3s can promote systemic inflammation in the body.

Artificial Flavor

A mixture of chemicals synthesized in a lab to mimic natural tastes. Manufacturers are not required to disclose the specific ingredients used in these proprietary blends.

Sodium Phosphate

Used in processed meats and cheese to maintain moisture. High intake is dangerous for people with kidney issues and can weaken bones by leaching calcium.

Cottonseed Oil

Derived from cotton crops which are heavily sprayed with pesticides (since cotton is not a food crop). Often contains higher pesticide residues than other oils.

Inulin (Chicory Root)

A prebiotic fiber added to 'healthy' snacks. While natural, processed inulin can cause severe gas and digestive distress in sensitive individuals.

Sunflower Oil

Often perceived as healthy, but high-oleic versions are better. Standard sunflower oil is very high in inflammatory Omega-6s.

Enriched Flour

Refined flour with synthetic vitamins added back in. Acts like pure sugar in the body, spiking insulin.

Full Ingredients List:

sugar, water, enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niaci ferrous sulfate or reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), high fructos corn syrup, palm oil, corn syrup, cocoa, soybean oil, tallow, contains 2% or less: glyceri cocoa processed with alkali, modified cornstarch, baking soda, salt, corn starch, dextros whey, hydrogenated tallow, inulin, egg, calcium carbonate, sorbic acid and potassium sorbat (to retain freshness), calcium sulfate, enzymes, egg white, mono and diglycerides, sodiu! acid pyrophosphate, cottonseed oil, natural and artificial flavor, sodium stearoyl lactylat agar, xanthan gum, soy lecithin, polysorbate 60, cellulose gum, locust bean gum, monocalciui phosphate, titanium dioxide (color), disodium phosphate, sunflower oil, chocolate liquor defatted soy flour, contains wheat, egg, milk and soy 52743 contains bioengineered food ingredient hostess brands, llc lenexa, ks 66215 ©2021 hostess brands, llc hostess quality commitment mittod to providing

Diet Compatibility

🌱

Vegan

Avoid

🌾

Gluten-Free

Avoid

🥩

Keto

Avoid

What you need to know

Fat in moderate quantity (13.333333333333g)

Contains a moderate amount of fat. Consume as part of a balanced diet.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Fat: the facts

Saturated Fat in high quantity (5.5555555555556g)

High consumption of saturated fats increases the risk of heart diseases. Choose products with lower content.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS)

Sugars in high quantity (42.222222222222g)

A high consumption of sugar causes weight gain, tooth decay, and risks of type 2 diabetes. Limit sugary drinks and snacks.

Source: National Health Service UK (NHS) - Sugar: the facts

Salt in moderate quantity (1.3333333333333g)

Salt in moderate quantity.

Source: WHO - Fact sheet - Salt reduction

Health Benefits

  • Convenient Snack

Cons & Warnings

  • Contains Corn Syrup
  • High Sugar Content

Processing Level

Based on ingredient analysis (NOVA System)

NOVA 4: Ultra Processed

Analysis Report

Elena Rodriguez

Elena Rodriguez

Health Coach

"Elena focuses on practical nutrition for families."

Health Integrity Analysis

Is Hostess cupcakes truly good for you, or is it just clever marketing? We analyzed the nutritional density, ingredient safety, and processing levels using the CakeID Algorithm. With a calculated health score of 0/100, here is the deep dive into what you are actually eating.

⚠️ Additive Watch: Critical Flags

The ingredient list reveals the presence of Corn Syrup. A liquid sweetener consisting of essentially pure glucose. It causes rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, contributing to energy crashes and long-term metabolic issues. For health-conscious consumers, this is a significant red flag that lowered the product's overall score.

The Sugar Reality Check

This product contains 42g of sugar per 100g. To put that into perspective, that's equivalent to eating roughly 11 sugar cubes directly. While it might taste great, such a high glycemic load can lead to rapid insulin spikes followed by energy crashes.

Final Verdict

Taking into account the macro-nutrient balance, additive risks, and caloric density, Hostess cupcakes achieves a CakeID Score of 0/100.

Treat Only: Due to the low score, we recommend enjoying this only as an occasional treat rather than a dietary staple.

Health Recommendations

Sugar Spike

High sugar may cause energy crashes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hostess cupcakes healthy?
It depends on your goals. With a score of 0/100, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Is Hostess cupcakes Vegan?
No. Contains 'milk'.
Does it contain harmful additives?
Yes, it contains Corn Syrup, which is flagged in our database.
Disclaimer: The information provided by CakeID is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Always consult a professional for dietary concerns.

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Official GTIN Code

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 package

Amount per serving
Calories
378
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g17%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 1000mg43%
Total Carbohydrate 64g23%
Dietary Fiber 2g7%
Total Sugars 42g
Protein 2g
Vitamin D 0mcg0%
Calcium 0mg0%
Iron 0mg0%
Potassium 0mg0%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Burn It Off

To burn off the 378 kcal in 100g, you'd need to:

38
Run
47
Cycle
95
Walk

Sugar Visualization

1 cube ≈ 4g sugar (Contains ~11 cubes)

Macros

FDA Check

Passed. No active recalls.