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Archer Farms
Archer Farms

Monster trail mix, monster

Monster trail mix, monster nutrition label, ingredients and packaging

Not Vegan

Contains 'milk'

Health ScorePoor
5/100

Banned in EU

Contains Red 40.

Calories
486
Sugar
46g
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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 👶⚠️

⚠️ DYE E129: Linked to ADHD/Hyperactivity. (CSPI / Southampton Study)
⚠️ DYE E102: Behavioral triggers & Allergies. (EFSA / CSPI)
⚠️ DYE E110: Linked to adrenal tumors in animals. (CSPI)
⚠️ DYE E133: Crosses blood-brain barrier. (CSPI)
⚠️ DYE E132: Linked to brain tumors in male rats. (CSPI)
Too much sugar (>25g) for kids. ()

Ingredient Decoder

High Risk Additives

Red 40 (Allura Red)

A synthetic petroleum-based dye used to create bright red colors in candy and drinks. It has been linked to hyperactivity and attention issues in sensitive children. Banned in parts of Europe for use in baby food.

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.

Peanut

One of the Top 9 Major Allergens. Peanut allergies are among the most severe and life-threatening, often requiring those affected to carry an EpiPen at all times.

Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)

A petroleum-based blue dye. Animal studies have suggested a link to brain tumors in male rats.

Moderate Caution

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

A synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye derived from coal tar. It is known to cause allergic reactions (like hives) in people with aspirin intolerance and has been linked to behavioral changes in children.

Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow)

A synthetic food dye used in cheese, candy, and soda. Some animal studies have linked it to adrenal tumors, though the FDA currently deems it safe for consumption.

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.

Dextrose

A simple sugar chemically identical to glucose. It absorbs instantly into the bloodstream, causing rapid energy spikes and crashes. Often used as a filler.

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.

Full Ingredients List:

Peanuts, m&m's milk chocolate candies (milk chocolate [sugar, chocolate, skim milk, cocoa butter, lactose, milkfat, soy lecithin, salt, artificial and natural flavors], sugar, corn starch, less than 1% - corn syrup, dextrin, coloring [includes blue 1 lake, yellow 6, red 40, yellow 5, blue 1, yellow 6 lake, red 40 lake, yellow 5 lake, blue 2 lake, blue 2], carnauba wax, gum acacia), raisins, milk chocolate chips (sugar, cocoa butter, whole milk powder, chocolate liquor, soy lecithin, vanillin [artificial flavoring]), peanut butter chips (sugar, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, partially defatted peanut flour, nonfat dry milk, whey powder, peanut butter [peanuts, hydrogenated rapeseed and cottonseed oil], dextrose, salt, soy lecithin), vegetable oil (peanut, cottonseed, soybean and/or sunflower seed), sea salt.

Diet Compatibility

🌱

Vegan

Avoid

🌾

Gluten-Free

OK

🥩

Keto

Avoid

What you need to know

Fat in high quantity (27.03g)

A high consumption of fat can raise cholesterol and increase heart disease risk. Limit consumption.

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

Saturated Fat in high quantity (10.81g)

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 (45.95g)

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 (0.405g)

Salt in moderate quantity.

Source: WHO - Fact sheet - Salt reduction

Health Benefits

  • Convenient Snack

Cons & Warnings

  • Contains Red 40 (Allura Red)
  • High Sugar Content

Processing Level

Based on ingredient analysis (NOVA System)

NOVA 4: Ultra Processed

Analysis Report

Sarah Jenkins, RDN

Sarah Jenkins, RDN

Registered Dietitian

"Sarah specializes in metabolic health and label decoding."

Health Integrity Analysis

Is Monster trail mix, monster 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 5/100, here is the deep dive into what you are actually eating.

⚠️ Additive Watch: Critical Flags

The ingredient list reveals the presence of Red 40 (Allura Red). A synthetic petroleum-based dye used to create bright red colors in candy and drinks. It has been linked to hyperactivity and attention issues in sensitive children. Banned in parts of Europe for use in baby food. For health-conscious consumers, this is a significant red flag that lowered the product's overall score.

The Sugar Reality Check

This product contains 46g of sugar per 100g. To put that into perspective, that's equivalent to eating roughly 12 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, Monster trail mix, monster achieves a CakeID Score of 5/100.

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.

Gut Health

Good fiber content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Monster trail mix, monster healthy?
It depends on your goals. With a score of 5/100, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Is Monster trail mix, monster Vegan?
No. Contains 'milk'.
Does it contain harmful additives?
Yes, it contains Red 40 (Allura Red), 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
486
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 11g55%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 0mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 54g20%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 46g
Protein 11g
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 486 kcal in 100g, you'd need to:

49
Run
61
Cycle
122
Walk

Sugar Visualization

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

Macros

FDA Check

Passed. No active recalls.