Target
Open Food Facts brand roll-up for Target, current as of September 2026. Screening averages and flag shares live in the short-answer band below. This hero only situates the catalog slice.
The short answer
Target averages 72.0/100 across the 118 of 251 tracked products that carry an ingredient list, and 53.4% of those contain at least one separately flagged ingredient. The figure summarizes Open Food Facts labels cross-referenced with FDA SAFFA and CSPI; it does not establish recall status, allergy suitability, or the composition of products outside this snapshot.
- 72.0/100
- average ingredient-screening score across 118 scored products
- 251
- tracked products in this brand roll-up
- 53.4%
- scored products with at least one flagged ingredient
- 92.1%
- of NOVA-classified products that are ultra-processed (Group 4)
Source snapshot current as of September 2026; open individual products before making a product-specific decision.
Portfolio reading
Use the distribution, then open the outliers
With 251 tracked products, the useful signal is the shape of the portfolio rather than one headline score. The current concern-sorted list begins Target, white chocolate with jelly beans mini bark; Target, valentine candies; Target, caramel pretzel with chocolate candies; 53.4% of records contain at least one flagged ingredient while the overall mean is 72.0/100. Open those outliers first, then compare neighboring formulations. The aggregate does not establish recall status, allergen suitability, or the composition of an item outside this snapshot.
Catalog evidence
Ingredient-list coverage comes before the score
Only 118 of 251 tracked Target records (47%) include an ingredient list. The remaining 133 cannot be screened, so the 72.0/100 mean describes the labelled subset rather than the whole brand.
Next check: use the product rows below to verify the labelled subset, then compare the current package for any unscored item.
What the Data Says About Target
Target: 251 products tracked, 118 with an ingredient list, avg safety score 72.0/100, 53.4% of those scored products has at least one flagged ingredient.
Because ingredient lists cover only 47% of tracked records, this average is a description of the labelled subset, not a brand-wide tier. The coverage gap is the dominant limitation. Scoring methodology + dye-pledge context →
Among the 804 brands with 50+ products (the typical brand in that group flags 18% of its catalog), Target's 53.4% flagged share is 35.4 points above that cohort median.
Processing mix (NOVA)
Target processing intensity
Target's NOVA-classified set is 114 products: 92.1% ultra-processed (Group 4, 105 items) with Group 4 (ultra-processed) largest at 105. That ultra-processed share sits 13.8 points above the 78.3% median for 1,323 brands with 50+ products. NOVA is processing intensity, not additive safety.
Shelf mix
Where Target shows up in Open Food Facts
In Open Food Facts shelf labels, Target concentrates in Snacks (79, 79% of this top-five); Plant-based foods and beverages (9); Beverages (5); Condiments (4); Baking-decorations (3).
Average score by leading shelf label
| Shelf | Scored n | Avg | Flagged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snacks | 79 | 64.8/100 | 65.8% |
| Plant-based foods and beverages | 5 | 100/100 | 0% |
| Beverages | 4 | 71.3/100 | 50% |
| Baking-decorations | 3 | 25/100 | 100% |
| Condiments | 2 | 100/100 | 0% |
Cohort context
Flagged-ingredient share among large brands
Target's 53.4% flagged share is measured across 118 scored products. The chart places that rate against the 50 brands with 50+ scored products in this snapshot, the same qualifying cohort used on the rankings page.
Target flagged share vs large-brand cohort
53.4% of scored products carry at least one flagged ingredient
53% 0th percentile is at or above the flagged share of 0% of the 50 qualifying brands we track
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more qualifying brands. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Distribution as text
- 0%–10%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 10%–20%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 20%–30%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 30%–40%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 40%–50%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 50%–60%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 60%–70%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 70%–80%
- 3 qualifying brands (6%)
- 80%–90%
- 25 qualifying brands (50%)
- 90% and above
- 22 qualifying brands (44%)
Source Open Food Facts × FDA SAFFA × CSPI · September 2026
Portfolio shape
How scores cluster inside this brand
The brand average (72.0/100) summarizes 118 scored products. This distribution shows whether that mean sits on a tight cluster or a wide spread, a few low-scoring SKUs can matter even when the headline average looks strong.
Target product score distribution
Brand average 72.0/100 across 118 scored products
72 37th percentile sits above 37% of the 118 scored products we track
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more scored products. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Distribution as text
- 0–10
- 14 scored products (12%)
- 10–20
- 3 scored products (3%)
- 20–30
- 7 scored products (6%)
- 30–40
- 1 scored products (1%)
- 40–50
- 1 scored products (1%)
- 50–60
- 8 scored products (7%)
- 60–70
- 3 scored products (3%)
- 70–80
- 13 scored products (11%)
- 80–90
- 6 scored products (5%)
- 90–100
- 7 scored products (6%)
- 100 and above
- 55 scored products (47%)
Source Open Food Facts product labels × FDA SAFFA × CSPI · September 2026
Target relies most on Red 40, an industry staple
Across the 118 Target products scored here, Red 40 appears in 38. It is used by 2,397 other brands in this database (6.8% of them), so its presence says more about the category than about this brand. A flag records that a named source raised a concern about an ingredient. It is not a finding that a product is unsafe to eat.
| Flagged ingredient | Target products | Why it is flagged |
|---|---|---|
| Red 40 | 38 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
| Blue 1 | 29 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
| Yellow 5 | 25 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
| Titanium Dioxide | 17 | Restricted: EU (banned); California (under review) |
| Yellow 6 | 16 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
| Red 3 | 10 | FDA ban effective 2027-01-15 · Restricted: California (AB 418; effective 2027-01-01); Federal (FDA; effective 2027-01-15) |
| Carrageenan | 9 | Concern recorded by a review body; no ban cited |
| Blue 2 | 4 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
Counts are products in this database whose ingredient list names the flagged ingredient. Flags come from FDA enforcement actions, CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings and US state ingredient laws; see the methodology for how each source is applied.
Visible product sample
Label complexity does not determine the screening result
Each point is one of the 50 concern-sorted Target records shown below. Horizontal position is the number of resolved ingredients on that product's stored label; vertical position is its source-derived screening score. The dashed medians (14 ingredients and 40/100) divide this displayed sample only. A longer label is not automatically worse: open a specific product to inspect its flagged rows and source coverage.
- Shown records
- 50
- Median label
- 14 ingredients
- Median score
- 40/100
The outlined point is Target, white chocolate with jelly beans mini bark, the displayed record with the most flagged ingredients (10). Bubble size represents flagged ingredient count plus one, so zero-flagged products remain visible. The score is derived from FDA SAFFA and CSPI fields; this chart does not establish recall status, dietary suitability, or a health outcome.
Read the plotted values
- Target, white chocolate with jelly beans mini bark: 35 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 10 flagged.
- Target, valentine candies: 17 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 9 flagged.
- Target, caramel pretzel with chocolate candies: 55 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 9 flagged.
- Target, giant sugar cookie decorating kit: 47 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 8 flagged.
- Ice Cream Flavored Bubble Gum: 18 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 7 flagged.
- Target, candy canes, hot cocoa: 10 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 5 flagged.
- Target, gingerbread add on cookie kit: 39 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 5 flagged.
- Target, gummy candy: 13 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 5 flagged.
- Milk Chocolate: 19 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 5 flagged.
- Gummy Butterflies: 14 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 4 flagged.
- Milk & White Chocolate Lamb: 14 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 4 flagged.
- Target, gummy butterflies: 14 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 4 flagged.
- Sour Drops Chewy Candy: 13 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 4 flagged.
- Dark Chocolate Covered Sandwich Cookies: 42 resolved ingredients, 0/100, 4 flagged.
- Target, bubble gum: 15 resolved ingredients, 10/100, 4 flagged.
- Target, spring mix jelly beans & gummy candy: 21 resolved ingredients, 10/100, 4 flagged.
- Holiday Cookie Mix: 29 resolved ingredients, 10/100, 4 flagged.
- Brain Specimens Crisped Rice Kit: 23 resolved ingredients, 20/100, 4 flagged.
- Valentine's Day Sprinkles: 14 resolved ingredients, 25/100, 3 flagged.
- Target, peppermint bark: 18 resolved ingredients, 25/100, 3 flagged.
- Target, semi-sweet and white chocolate peppermint bark: 14 resolved ingredients, 25/100, 3 flagged.
- Target, gummy wreaths: 10 resolved ingredients, 25/100, 3 flagged.
- Peppermint bark with crunchy peppermint bits: 14 resolved ingredients, 25/100, 3 flagged.
- Gummy Wreaths Chewy Candy: 10 resolved ingredients, 25/100, 3 flagged.
- Target, witches' brew cauldron halloween punch mix: 8 resolved ingredients, 35/100, 3 flagged.
- Holiday Decors Candy: 16 resolved ingredients, 45/100, 3 flagged.
- Harvest cheesecake: 88 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 3 flagged.
- Easter Nonpareils: 6 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Jack-o'-Lantern Cheese Balls: 29 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Peppermint Candy Cones: 5 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, cotton candy cobwebs, green apple: 4 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, gummy snakes candy: 12 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, bug juice fizzy drink mix, grape: 9 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, gummy bear, green apple: 15 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, jelly beans: 11 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, bloody bones decorating candies: 11 resolved ingredients, 60/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, zombie bacon candy, strawberry-vanilla: 12 resolved ingredients, 60/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, gummy fangs candy: 11 resolved ingredients, 60/100, 2 flagged.
- Gum Balls: 13 resolved ingredients, 70/100, 2 flagged.
- Chewy Candy: 14 resolved ingredients, 70/100, 2 flagged.
- Chips & Sprinkles Cookie Mix: 35 resolved ingredients, 80/100, 2 flagged.
- Target, scary skulls decorating candies: 15 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Peppermint Twist: 7 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Cherry Candies: 5 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Target, cotton candy cobwebs, cherry: 3 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Target, scary! cotton candy cobwebs, cherry artificial flavored: 3 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Target, cotton candy, cherry: 3 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Target, cotton candy, blue raspberry: 3 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Target, licorice twists: 24 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Cookie Mix: 39 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
Products by Target
Showing 50 display-quality records, sorted by concern level (most flagged first); 201 tracked records with unusable upstream names remain in the aggregate but are not shown.
Nationwide brands with similar catalog profiles
Two PlainFoodSafe-derived peer sets for Target: closest on tracked product count (251 here) and closest on average ingredient screening score (72/100 here). Rows stay link-disjoint so each axis is a distinct neighborhood, not a largest-catalog strip.
Similar product count
Nearest other brands by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Similar average screening score
Nearest other brands by average ingredient screening score (floored at ≥50 scored products), distinct from the count row.
Counts and averages from Open Food Facts labels screened against FDA SAFFA and CSPI Chemical Cuisine; neither axis is a health outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Target food safe? ▼
Target has an average safety score of 72/100 across the 118 of 251 tracked products that carry an ingredient list. 53.4% of those contain flagged ingredients.
How many Target products are tracked? ▼
Our database tracks 251 Target products. 118 include an ingredient list and can be screened against FDA SAFFA and CSPI data; 133 cannot be scored from this snapshot.
How processed is the Target catalog? ▼
Target has 114 NOVA-classified products; 92.1% are ultra-processed (Group 4, 105 items) and Group 4 is the largest slice. NOVA describes processing intensity, not whether additives on a label are flagged.
Which shelves dominate the Target catalog? ▼
In Open Food Facts shelf labels, Target concentrates in Snacks (79, 79% of this top-five); Plant-based foods and beverages (9); Beverages (5); Condiments (4); Baking-decorations (3).
Does Target use artificial dyes? ▼
Open the individual product pages below to see which Target items list a synthetic dye on their label. For whether the company has committed to removing dyes, the FDA and CSPI both publish corporate-commitment trackers; we no longer restate those commitments here.
What to do with this Target profile
Use this roll-up as orientation, then verify the specific package you hold against its ingredient panel and the named official sources.
- Start with Target, white chocolate with jelly beans mini bark, the displayed product with the most flagged ingredients (10) in this sample. Open the outlier product
- Red 40 appears in 38 scored Target products, review why each source flags it before treating the brand average as uniform. Review flagged ingredient counts
- Compare Target's 72.0/100 average and 53.4% flagged share against other brands before treating either figure as a recall or clearance signal. Brand safety rankings
- Cross-check any additive concern against FDA SAFFA and CSPI Chemical Cuisine rather than relying on this derived index alone. Scoring methodology
A flagged ingredient records a source concern, not a recall, ban, or medical clearance. Always verify the current package label and consult official sources for product-specific decisions.
Citation & disclaimer notes
Brand scores aggregate ingredient-level FDA SAFFA + CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings across Open Food Facts product data. See our methodology. Retrieved and formatted by PlainFoodSafe.Disclaimer: Informational purposes only; not professional advice. A flagged ingredient is not a recall or a ban. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Every figure on PlainFoodSafe is rendered directly from OpenFoodFacts and FDA data, no number is typed in by an editor. Brand figures are computed directly from OpenFoodFacts and FDA data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of September 2026.
