Talking Carts 17: CR Investigation Reveals High Levels of Additives and Contaminants in Snacks

Products from popular brands like Cheetos, Hostess, and Jell-O contain concerning substances

By Brian Vines

For many of us summer road trips are the stuff of snacking dreams: the backseat of the family car, the siblings, and the stash of snacks you can’t wait to break into. 

But the beloved snack you think of as a guilty pleasure could have some questionable ingredients.

A new investigation from Consumer Reports and Yuka, the app that helps consumers decipher food and cosmetics labels, found concerning levels of additives and contaminants in snacks. After testing 40 popular grocery products, including snack cakes, gummy candies, and soft drinks, for eight additives and two contaminants, we found that a third contain more than some public health agencies have identified as safe for adults or kids to consume daily.

Investigative journalist Paris Martineau joins the podcast and tackles the tough questions about food formulations, including why American standards differ from those in other countries, where the Food and Drug Administration is dropping the ball, and what you can actually do to demand better for your health.

Join us: This episode of Talking Carts unwraps findings that just might change how you navigate the snack aisle.

“Talking Carts” panelists (from left): Brian Vines, Paris Martineau, and Tanya Christian.

Graphic: Consumer Reports

How to Listen

“Talking Carts With Consumer Reports” episodes are available on CR’s video hub and through Apple PodcastsSpotify (log-in required), and on video on YouTube.

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