Ingredients in Reese’s, Peeps and Russell Stover products meet safety standards and safe to consume within prescribed limits

A video is currently going viral on social media which claims that brands like Reese’s, Peeps and Russell Stover use ingredients in their products which were proved to be harmful upon consumption. 

The claim states that these products use ingredients like GMO Corn, artificial flavors, artificial dyes, mineral oils and TBHQ which are linked with health disorders like inflammation, hyperactivity, suppression of the immune system etc.

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Fact Check- 

Let’s check the food safety of each ingredient mentioned in the post. 

GMO Corn: What is GMO Corn Syrup?

GMO corn syrup, particularly high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), is a liquid sweetener made from genetically modified corn (maize). It’s a sweetener commonly used in processed foods, including soft drinks, baked goods, and fast food\

According to a website, High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is made from corn, including genetically modified (GMO) corn. Research shows HFCS from GMO corn is the same as HFCS from regular corn because the genetic material breaks down during processing and becomes undetectable. Similarly, GMO crops may also be used to produce beet sugar. 

Using GMO corn in food is safe for people and the environment. Organizations like the National Academy of Sciences and the World Health Organization confirm its safety. GMO corn has been tested extensively and grown for years. It helps farmers use fewer chemicals, grow more on less land, protect the environment etc.

We found that the FDA received questions about the safety of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), often related to how the body processes fructose. The FDA stated that there is no evidence that HFCS is less safe than other sweeteners like sucrose (table sugar) or honey, which have similar amounts of glucose and fructose. However, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting all added sugars, including HFCS, to maintain a healthy diet, a guideline the FDA fully supports.

According to the FDA, most of the corn grown in the USA is GMO. GMO corn is created to resist insect pests or tolerate herbicides. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn is a GMO corn that produces proteins that are toxic to certain insect pests but not to humans, pets, livestock, or other animals. These are the same types of proteins that organic farmers use to control insect pests, and they do not harm beneficial insects, such as ladybugs. GMO Bt corn reduces the need for spraying insecticides while still preventing insect damage. While a lot of GMO corn goes into processed foods and drinks, most of it is used to feed livestock, like cows, and poultry, like chickens.

Artificial Flavors: FDA approves the use of artificial flavors in various food items. It closely monitors all the flavors. In the past, FDA had removed several synthetic flavors from the food additive list after those flavors proved to cause health hazards on consumption. 

Red 40: Red 40 is an artificial dye that gives a bright red color to foods and drinks. The FDA (in the U.S.) allows it to be used in food items like cereals, drinks, jellies, puddings, dairy products, and candy.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also evaluated the safety of Red 40 and found it safe to consume. Some studies in mice showed possible DNA damage, but EFSA didn’t find any proof that Red 40 causes serious health problems in humans even if they eat more than usual. To stay safe, EFSA recommends that people eat no more than 0 to 7 milligrams per kilogram of body weight each day.

Yellow 5: FDA had approved the use of Yellow 5 in foods in 1931 which is still listed under the permitted color additives. According to another article, Yellow 5 is approved in countries like the USA, Canada, and the EU. Some people believe it can cause reactions like hyperactivity, asthma, rashes, or allergies, but early studies had flaws and gave misleading results.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluated the safety of Yellow 5. Research showed that the human body absorbs only a small amount of Yellow 5, with most of it being broken down by gut bacteria and excreted in urine. Although an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 7.5 mg per kilogram of body weight was established years ago, the studies supporting it were limited and often examined dye mixtures rather than Yellow 5 alone. As a result, EFSA recommended further research to better assess its safety. 

Mineral Oil: Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are a diverse group of chemical compounds mainly derived from petroleum distillation and refining. According to EFSA, the potential human health impact of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) varies significantly. While mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) can accumulate in the liver and lymphoid system, current levels of dietary exposure do not pose a public health risk. Some mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) may contain genotoxic substances that can damage DNA and potentially cause cancer, for which no safe exposure level can be established.

According to the National Library of Medicines, the FDA requires warning labels on certain over-the-counter drugs and products that contain mineral oil, especially if they are taken by mouth. There are strict limits on how mineral oil can be used in food preparation, packaging, and as a lubricant that might touch food, with levels not allowed to exceed 10 parts per million. Additionally, there are specific regulations for the use of mineral oil in animal drugs, as well as in the feed and drinking water of animals, to ensure safety and proper use.

It is also found that untreated and mildly treated mineral oils are known to be human carcinogens based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans. Therefore, FDA and other food regulatory bodies are strict on the production process and how the mineral oils are used in the products.

We also found that Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs do not contain mineral oil as an ingredient. It uses hydrogenated vegetable oil. Similarly, you can read about the ingredients in products of Peeps and Russell Stover here and here. 

TBHQ: The EFSA Panel reviewed the safety of TBHQ (E 319), a food additive allowed in the EU with a safe daily intake limit of 0.7 mg per kilogram of body weight. While past assessments found that adult exposure stayed within this limit, there was concern that infants consuming infant formula with TBHQ might exceed the limit. To refine the assessment, EFSA analyzed new data on how much TBHQ is used in foods and how much people actually consume. The results showed that, at maximum allowed levels, toddlers and children could exceed the safe limit. However, in more realistic scenarios, the safe limit was not exceeded for any group. 

FDA approved TBHQ as a food additive and set specific conditions for its safe use. As per FDA, TBHQ must have a melting point of at least 126.5°C and be at least 99% pure. It should be used as an antioxidant, either alone or with BHA and BHT, to prevent oxidation in foods and the total amount of antioxidants, including TBHQ, in a food must not exceed 0.02% of the fat or oil content in the food.

Conclusion: 

Fact Crescendo found the claim to be misleading. All the ingredients in Reese’s, Peeps, Russell Stover etc are safe and meet food safety standards.