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Twinkies

Twinkies nutrition label, ingredients and packaging

Not Vegan

Contains 'whey'

Health ScorePoor
0/100

Banned in EU

Contains Red 40.

Calories
364
Sugar
42g
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Family & Pet Safety

🚫

Not Dog Safe 🐢❌

⚠️ SODIUM ION POISONING: Vomiting, seizures (in high doses).
Ref: Merck Vet
🀰

Pregnancy Safe? πŸ€°βœ…

Safe for consumption.

πŸ‘Ά

Limit for Kids πŸ‘Άβš οΈ

⚠️ DYE E129: Linked to ADHD/Hyperactivity. (CSPI / Southampton Study)
⚠️ DYE E102: Behavioral triggers & Allergies. (EFSA / CSPI)
⚠️ HFCS: Driver of childhood obesity. (CDC)
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.

High Fructose Corn Syrup

An industrial liquid sweetener made from corn starch. It is chemically different from table sugar and is strongly linked to the obesity epidemic, fatty liver disease, and insulin resistance.

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.

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

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.

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.

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:

Bleached enriched wheat flour [wheat flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate (iron), thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, animal and vegetable shortening (tallow, hydrogenated tallow, cottonseed oil, mono and diglycerides, polysorbate 60, soy lecithin), eggs, water, dextrose. contains 2% or less: calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, agar, disodium phosphate, locust bean gum, modified corn starch, corn syrup solids, soy lecithin, sodium acid pyrophosphate, baking soda, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate, whey, glycerin, salt, cellulose gum, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sorbic acid and potassium sorbate (to retain freshness), xanthan gum, barley malt extract, corn grits, natural and artificial flavors, enzymes, yellow 5, red 40.

Diet Compatibility

🌱

Vegan

Avoid

🌾

Gluten-Free

Avoid

πŸ₯©

Keto

Avoid

What you need to know

Fat in moderate quantity (11.7g)

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 (5.19g)

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 (41.6g)

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 low quantity (0g)

Low salt content.

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

Dr. Mark Chen, PhD

Dr. Mark Chen, PhD

Food Scientist

"Mark analyzes food processing levels and additive safety."

Health Integrity Analysis

Is Twinkies 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 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 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, Twinkies 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 Twinkies healthy? β–Ό
It depends on your goals. With a score of 0/100, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Is Twinkies Vegan? β–Ό
No. Contains 'whey'.
Does it contain harmful additives? β–Ό
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
364
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g15%
Saturated Fat 5g25%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 0mg0%
Total Carbohydrate 61g22%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 42g
Protein 3g
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 364 kcal in 100g, you'd need to:

36
Run
46
Cycle
91
Walk

Sugar Visualization

1 cube β‰ˆ 4g sugar (Contains ~10 cubes)

Macros

FDA Check

Passed. No active recalls.