Course:FNH200/Assignments/2026/Welch's MixedFruitSnacks
The two products our team has chosen are the normal Welch's Mixed Fruit Snacks and the zero sugar Welch's Mixed Fruit Snacks. They slightly differ in ingredients and addictive but has very different labelling and advertising strategies.
Images
| Welch's Mixed Fruit Snack | Welch's Mixed Fruit Snacks - Zero Sugar | Welch's Mixed Fruit Snacks - Nutrition Facts Table | Welch's Mixed Fruit Snacks - Zero Sugar - Nutrition Facts Table |
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Ingredient lists
| Welch's fruit snacks | zero sugar Welch's fruit snacks |
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Fat & Sugar Substitutes and Addictive
The normal Welch's fruit snacks do not have any fat substitutes and sugar substitutes. The additives used includes modified corn starch, gelatin, citric acid, lactic acid, natural and artificial flavours, carnauba wax, annatto (colour), turmeric (colour), fruit and vegetable juice (colour). Likewise, the Zero Sugar Welch's Fruit Snacks has Maltodextrin as fat substitutes, Maltitol and Allulose as sugar substitutes, and contain many other additives exactly the same as the original kind except for lactic acid.
Sugar substitutes:
- Maltitol is a sugar alcohol with the sweetness of ~90% of sucrose and lower calories. Since they are absorbed slowly in the large intestine, they only contribute to 1.5-3.0 Cal/g. Sugar alcohols do not increase blood glucose or insulin levels. can be used as a “bulk sweetener”, which can be used volume-for-volume in the same amount as sugar.
- Allulose, which is a rare sugar with approximately 70% of the sweetness of sucrose. It is nearly calorie free because most of it is absorbed by the body but is not significantly metabolized, providing about 90% fewer calories per gram than sugars such as fructose and glucose. It does not promote dental caries and has minimal effects on blood glucose and insulin levels. It is currently not approved for sale in Canada, but it may be available for purchase online.
Fat substitute
- Maltodextrin, Maltodextrin is can be used as a fat substitutes, but for the a carbohydrate used for thickening and bulking while additionally improving shelf life. It is fully digestible, but only yields 4 cal/g compared to 9 cal/g from normal fats. It helps replace some of the solids and body normally provided by sugar, corn syrup, fruit purée, and juice concentrate in the regular product. As mentioned above, both versions of the fruit snacks has very similar
Additive
- modified corn starch, which is a thickening agent to improve texture.
- Gelatin, a gelling agent in dessert powders and contributes to the iconic rubbery texture of gummies that distinguishes them from jellies, Licorice, and other chewy candies.
- Citric acid, which acts as an acid regulator and used to provide citrusy and fruity flavours while improving the gelling process (provides a firmer and more elastic texture in gummy candies).
- Carnauba wax, which is used to prevent the gummies from melting and sticking together due to its high melting point. It is also used for a glossy finish and smoother texture, and acts as a coating agent to form a protective barrier on food products.
- Fruit and vegetables juice are used to provide vibrant colours of gummies
- colouring agents are contributed in the form of turmeric, annatto. Turmeric is recognized by Health Canada as a food colouring. Its colouring component, Curcumin, provides a bright yellow hue which contributes to the yellow colour of the gummies. The other colouring agent, Annatto, is commonly used as a natural food additive, which imparts a bright colour that ranges from yellow to deep orange-red. The colour comes from the colouring pigment carotenoids. Aside from the colouring function, annatto is also known for its functions of reduced inflammation, improved eye and heart health, and anticancer effects.
Comparison
- The differences between the two products is to make a zero-sugar product while considering the change in cost and ingredients. The original product contains fruit purée, grape-juice concentrate, sugar, and corn syrup contribute sweetness and bulk. Whereas the zero-sugar product contain Maltitol, Allulose, Maltodextrin and Coconut oil. Maltitol and Allulose replaces the sweetness in the original product. Maltodextrin helps replace some of the bulk, solids, and body that would otherwise be provided by sugar, corn syrup, fruit purée, and juice concentrate. Coconut oil likely helps distribute the carnauba-wax coating, reduces sticking, and contributes to a smooth surface and mouthfeel. Comparing the vitamin contents, the regular product contains added vitamins A, C, and E, while the zero-sugar version does not list these vitamins. The ingredient lists do not provide enough information to determine why the manufacturer chose different vitamin fortification for the two products. Finally, the normal product contains both citric acid and lactic acid, while the zero-sugar product lists only citric acid. Citric acid may provide sufficient acidity and tartness in the zero-sugar formulation, but the exact reason for omitting lactic acid cannot be determined from the ingredient list alone.
Labels
Welch's fruit snacks includes specific labels onto the packages to grab the consumer's attention while promoting their unqiuness.
- Welch’s Mixed Fruits
- “Vitamin A & E”. Vitamin A is important for maintaining healthy teeth, bones, skin, and soft tissues. It also supports immune function, helps prevent night blindness, and promotes healthy hair and nails. Vitamin E is an antioxidant (a substance that protects your cells from damage caused by unstable molecules) that helps with muscle cells. Including such information in the front package of the product may attract customers looking for an extra boost in vitamins.
- “Fat Free”. This label is another selling point directed towards customers looking for “healthier” food options. As this product is a gummy/ candy, something generally perceived as unhealthy, the addition of this information or characteristic of this product proves a good marketing point. The product’s gummy texture is made fat free because it is made using gelatin (protein derived from collagen) and modified cornstarch. However, it is worth noting that most gummies are actually already fat free, because gelatin is their usual ingredient.
- “Gluten Free”. This label is directed towards customers who have a gluten allergy, and therefore is another selling point for the product. Though Gluten is not usually a main product for gummies, it can still hide in gummies as an additive or an aid during processing. Making sure this product is gluten free is definitely a great move to cater to people with celiac disease. Gluten can appear in gummies through wheat/corn based glucose syrup or modified food starch made of wheat and even some flavorings. Sometimes gluten may even appear due to cross-contamination from the factory even though it is not used as an ingredient for the gummies.
- “No preservatives”. This means a food product contains no artificial chemicals added to enhance the shelf life of the food by preventing any bacteria or mold from forming. Again, this label attracts health conscious individuals who prefer natural and no preservatives in their food.
- Welch’s Mixed Fruit Zero Sugar
- "zero sugar". This labelling attracts diabetic or even people who are on a diet and seeking for lower calorie snack options. Zero sugar means sugar substitutes are used instead of regular sugar. In this case carbohydrate based sweeteners Maltitol and Allulose are used in place of regular sugar because they are lower or have almost no calories.
- “25% Fewer Calories than our original snacks”. The addition of this phrase is another marketing tactic used to attract consumers who want to eat Welch’s Mixed Fruit while following a diet.
Connecting the Concepts
The above information complies with the regulatory requirements as outlined in Lesson 04:
Both Welch’s Mixed Fruit Snacks packages display several pieces of information normally found on prepackaged food labels, including the product name, net quantity, ingredient list, Nutrition Facts table, serving size, calorie and nutrient information, and manufacturer or distributor information. Most prepackaged foods sold in Canada must carry a label and Nutrition Facts table, and all label information must be truthful and not misleading. However, the photographed packages appear to be designed for the United States market, rather than the Canadian market. The labels are mainly in English, use a U.S.-style Nutrition Facts table, include the phrase “Includes Added Sugars,” and display some quantities in ounces. In Canada, mandatory information on consumer prepackaged foods must generally be presented in both English and French. Therefore, although both labels provide substantial product, ingredient, and nutrition information, they do not appear to fully comply with Canadian labelling requirements. Their bilingual presentation and Nutrition Facts formatting do not match the requirements expected for products labelled for sale in Canada. Full compliance of the “Zero Sugar” claim also cannot be confirmed from these U.S. package photographs alone because nutrient-content claims used in Canada must meet specific Canadian compositional and wording requirements.
References
- Welch's. (n.d.). Mixed Fruit Fruit Snacks. https://welchsfruitsnacks.com/products/mixed-fruit/
- Welch's. (n.d.). Mixed Fruit Fruit Snacks (Family Pack). https://welchsfruitsnacks.com/products/mixed-fruit-3/
- Target. (n.d.). Welch's Fruit Snacks Mixed Fruit 8 oz (10 ct). https://www.target.com/p/welch-39-s-fruit-snacks-mixed-fruit-8oz-10ct/-/A-87545371
- Walmart. (n.d.). Welch's Zero Sugar Fruity Bites Mixed Fruit Snack Box. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Welch-s-Zero-Sugar-Fruity-Bites-Mixed-Fruit-Snack-Box-Gluten-Free-Sugar-Free-Snacks-3oz-Snack-Packs-Pack-of-6-MDA05/17326463689
- Government of Canada. (2017). Sugar alcohols (polyols) and polydextrose used as sweeteners in foods – Food safety. Health Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/sugar-substitutes/sugar-alcohols-polyols-polydextrose-used-sweeteners-foods-food-safety.html
- Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Allulose. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allulose
- Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition. (2024). Is allulose safe to use in Canada? https://www.pennutrition.com/TrendingTopic?id=30552
- Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Modified starch. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modified_starch
- Government of Canada. (2017). Modification to the List of Permitted Food Additives to Enable the Use of Gelatin as a Gelling Agent in Calorie Reduced Margarine. Health Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/public-involvement-partnerships/modification-lists-permitted-food-additives-use-gelatin-gelling-agent-calorie-reduced-margarine.html
- Mariod, A. A., Adam, H. F., & Ahmed, R. M. (2021). Gelatin, source, extraction and industrial applications. Food Hydrocolloids. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268005X2100549X
- Government of Canada. (2025). Lists of permitted food additives – List of permitted pH adjusting agents, acid-reacting materials and water correcting agents. Health Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/food-additives/lists-permitted/10-adjusting-agents.html
- Gummy Genix. (n.d.). Why are gummies acidic? Discover the role of acids in gummy manufacturing. https://gummygenix.com/why-are-gummies-acidic-discover-the-role-of-acids-in-gummy-manufacturing/
- Mondstar. (n.d.). Lactic acid in food: Discovering its role in everyday food. https://www.mondstar.com/lactic-acid-in-food-discovering-its-role-in-everyday-food/
- Probiota Innovations. (2024). Carnauba wax in gummies: When to use it and when to replace it. https://www.probiotainnovations.com/blog/blog-202-carnauba-wax-in-gummies-when-to-use-it-and-when-to-replace-it
- WebMD. (2022). What is maltodextrin? https://www.webmd.com/diet/what-is-maltodextrin
- Koel Colours. (n.d.). Turmeric as a natural yellow food color: How it works and where it's used. https://koelcolours.com/turmeric-as-a-natural-yellow-food-color-how-it-works-and-where-its-used/
- Healthline. (2023). Annatto: Nutrition, benefits, uses, and side effects. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/annatto
- Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Coconut oil. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil
- Healthline. (2023). Is maltitol safe? https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-maltitol-safe
- Healthline. (2023). Allulose: Benefits, nutrition, and side effects. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/allulose
- Yarley, E. (2025). Unveiling hidden sugars: A critical analysis of maltodextrin as a polysaccharide additive in processed foods and its health implications. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Invention, 12, 7602–7621. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijmsci/v12i.04.02
- Healthline. (2023). Gelatin: Nutrition, benefits, and uses. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gelatin-benefits
- Probiota Innovations. (2024). Carnauba wax in gummies: When to use it and when to replace it. https://www.probiotainnovations.com/blog/blog-202-carnauba-wax-in-gummies-when-to-use-it-and-when-to-replace-it
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2025, September 3). Bilingual food labelling. Government of Canada. https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/industry/bilingual-food-labelling
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2025). Food products that require a label. Government of Canada. https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/industry/food-products
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2024, March 18). Nutrition labelling. Government of Canada. https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/industry/nutrition-labelling
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency. (2026). Understanding food labels. Government of Canada. https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/labelling/consumers/understanding-food-labels
- Adams, S. (2025). Are gummy bears gluten-free? Celiac.com. https://www.celiac.com/celiac-disease/are-gummy-bears-gluten-free-video-r7016/
- Healthline Editorial Team. (2025). Great foods for getting vitamins A to K in your diet. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/foods-nutrition-vitamins-a-b-c-d-e-k#vitamin-k
- Rousselot. (2024). What is gelatin made of? Darling Ingredients. https://www.darlingii.com/rousselot/resources/blogs/2024/01/rousselot-what-is-gelatin-made-of
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