Fruit Gushers are made of sugar and fruit juice plus other ingredients in small percentage. At the center of each gusher is a thick sweet fluid enclosed by a chewy sugar coating. The essence of ‘Gushers’ is that when your teeth dig into the outer coat, the thick sweetness at the center gushes into your mouth. Gushers have been put there since the 90s.
The first flavors to hit the market were Gushin’ Grape and strawberry splash. Gushin’ Grape was later discontinued. Other discontinued flavors include Watermelon Blast, Screamin’ Green Apple, Burstin’ Berry Lemonade among others. However, this wasn’t the end because other flavors like Gushers Mood Morphers which comes in a fruit punch flavor with different colored fruit-flavored fillings, were later introduced.
Gushers are made of:
- Partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil
- Maltodextrin
- Cottonseed oil
- Carrageenan
- Citric Acid
- Glycerine
- Monoglycerides
- Sodium citrate Malic acid
- Ascorbic acid
- Natural flavor
- Potassium citrate
- Agar-agar
- Red 40
- Xanthan Gum
With so many ingredients it doesn’t seem like a good thing to feed our little ones, right?
What some people will raise concerns about is that General Millers didn’t specify whether glycerin is plant or animal based. For all we know, it is the onus of the manufacturer to clear any doubt surrounding its products. While some consumers prefer to overlook this bit, others will assume that since all other ingredients are vegan, then glycerin should be vegan too.
Gushers are most popular among children although adults seem to have been drawn to it too. However, you may want to limit your intake, as Gushers are considered overly sugary. While you may find it challenging to prepare homemade Gushers, you can trade it with healthier alternatives like real whole fruits or dried fruits.
If you’re high on fixing something, then this Lower Sugar Homemade Healthy Fruit Snack by Lindsay Cotter will settle your crave big time.
What do you think about Gushers??