Avoid

Trail Mix

by Chex mix

Scores 0/100 on FDA SAFFA + CSPI ingredient analysis - 6 flagged ingredients identified.

Barcode 0016000443112 · Serving size 0.25 cup (27 g)

The verdict

Trail Mix by Chex mix scores 0/100 in PlainFoodSafe's ingredient screening. We compared its 68 labeled ingredients with FDA SAFFA regulatory records and CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings; 6 ingredients are flagged for caution. This is not a recall, allergy, medical, or dietary-safety determination; check official notices and the product label for current decisions.

0/100
Avoid safety score
6
flagged ingredients of 68 analyzed
Group 4
Ultra-processed
E
Nutri-Score nutrition grade

Computed directly from OpenFoodFacts ingredient data cross-referenced with FDA SAFFA and CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings. See our methodology for the scoring formula.

What the Data Says About Trail Mix

Trail Mix by Chex mix carries a composite safety score of 0/100, which we classify as "Avoid" on our four-tier shelf-label framework.

The score is computed by mapping each labeled ingredient against FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) regulatory status and CSPI Chemical Cuisine classifications, then penalizing the overall product for each additive rated as caution-or-worse. Product data originates from the OpenFoodFacts collaborative catalog; safety annotations come from federal regulators and the Center for Science in the Public Interest. This score is a transparent derived index we compute from that public data, not an official FDA rating or endorsement; see the Methodology page for the exact weighting.

Our scan identified 6 flagged ingredients in this product, components that at least one official source has classified as requiring caution, targeted avoidance, or further evaluation. Flagged ingredients are the items most likely to surface in FDA inspection findings, state-level ingredient bans, or outbreak-related recall notices, so the per-ingredient breakdown below is the most useful lens for anyone screening this product for a specific dietary concern.

On the NOVA processing scale, Trail Mix is classified as Group 4 (Ultra-processed). NOVA measures industrial processing intensity rather than ingredient-level safety, so it complements the SAFFA and CSPI ratings: a product can be clean on additive flags but heavily processed, or lightly processed but carry individually flagged ingredients. Combining both lenses gives a fuller picture than either alone. The Nutri-Score grade of E reflects nutritional balance, calories, saturated fat, sugar, sodium versus fiber, protein, and produce content, which again is a distinct dimension from additive safety and worth weighing alongside the scores above.

Safety Profile at a Glance

Composite safety metrics for Trail Mix
Metric Value Source
PlainFoodSafe Score 0/100 FDA SAFFA + CSPI composite
Flagged ingredients 6 CSPI/FDA review
NOVA processing group Group 4 OpenFoodFacts
Nutri-Score E OpenFoodFacts

Composite metric derived from FDA SAFFA, CSPI Chemical Cuisine, OpenFoodFacts. See methodology.

How It Compares to Its Category

Among the 94,909 products we've scored in the Snacks category, the average safety score is 87.4/100. Trail Mix scores 87.4 points below that category average (0/100 vs. 87.4/100), so it is a comparatively weaker pick for shoppers screening within that category specifically, rather than against the product catalog as a whole.

Ingredient Safety Analysis

1
Roasted Peanuts
2
Peanuts
3
Peanut Oil
FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, TEXTURIZER
GRAS
4
Salt
Flavoring
Cut Back
5
Roasted Almonds
6
Almonds
7
Canola
8
Safflower
9
Sunflower Oil
10
Candy Coated Chocolate Flavored Pieces
11
Confectionery Coating
12
Sugar
Sweetener
Cut Back
13
Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil
14
Cocoa Powder
15
Whey Powder
16
Nonfat Dry Milk
17
Soy Lecithin
18
Artificial Flavor
19
Artificial Coloring
20
Red 40
Avoid Approved (certified color)
21
Yellow 6
Avoid Approved (certified color)
22
Yellow 6
Avoid Approved (certified color)
23
Yellow 5
Avoid Approved (certified color)
24
Blue 2
Avoid Approved (certified color)
25
Blue 1
Caution Approved (certified color)
26
Gum Arabic
27
Corn Syrup
ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, HUMECTANT, LEAVENING AGENT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, TEXTURIZER
Cut Back GRAS
28
Confectioner's Glaze
29
Carnauba Wax
30
Beeswax
FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT
GRAS
31
Shellac
32
Dried Sweetened Cranberries
33
Dried Cranberries
34
Glycerin
ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, DRYING AGENT, EMULSIFIER OR EMULSIFIER SALT, HUMECTANT, MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE, NUTRITIVE SWEETENER, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, STABILIZER OR THICKENER, TEXTURIZER
Safe GRAS
35
Citric Acid
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENT, ANTIOXIDANT, ENZYME, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, LEAVENING AGENT, PH CONTROL AGENT, SEQUESTRANT, SOLVENT OR VEHICLE, SURFACE-ACTIVE AGENT
Safe GRAS
36
Sunflower Seed Oil
37
Degermed Yellow Corn Meal
38
Whole Grain Rice
39
Rice
40
Or Less Of: Fructose
41
Rice Bran Oil
42
Cocoa Processed With Alkali
43
Calcium Carbonate
ANTICAKING AGENT OR FREE-FLOW AGENT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, DRYING AGENT, FORMULATION AID, HUMECTANT, LEAVENING AGENT, LUBRICANT OR RELEASE AGENT, MASTICATORY SUBSTANCE, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, PH CONTROL AGENT, PROCESSING AID
GRAS
44
Molasses
45
Baking Soda
46
Distilled Monoglycerides
47
Natural Flavor
48
Yellow Corn Flour
49
Iron And Zinc
50
Mineral Nutrients
51
Vitamin C
52
Sodium Ascorbate
ANTIOXIDANT, COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, DOUGH STRENGTHENER, FLOUR TREATING AGENT, LEAVENING AGENT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT, OXIDIZING OR REDUCING AGENT, PROCESSING AID, SURFACE-FINISHING AGENT
GRAS
53
A B Vitamin
54
Niacinamide
FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
GRAS
55
Vitamin B6
56
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
GRAS
57
Vitamin B1
58
Thiamin Mononitrate
59
Vitamin A
NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
GRAS
60
Palmitate
61
Vitamin B2
62
Riboflavin
COLOR OR COLORING ADJUNCT, FLAVOR ENHANCER, FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT, NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
GRAS
63
Folic Acid
NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENT
Approved
64
Vitamin B12
65
Vitamin D3
66
Vitamin E
67
Mixed Tocopherols
68
And Bht Added To Preserve Freshness

Full Ingredient List

Roasted Peanuts (Peanuts, Peanut Oil, Salt), Roasted Almonds (Almonds, Canola, Safflower And/Or Sunflower Oil, Salt), Candy Coated Chocolate Flavored Pieces (Confectionery Coating [Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa Powder, Whey Powder, Nonfat Dry Milk, Soy Lecithin, Artificial Flavor], Sugar, Artificial Coloring (Red 40 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake, Yellow 6, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Blue 1 Lake), Gum Arabic, Corn Syrup, Confectioner'S Glaze [Carnauba Wax, Beeswax, Shellac]), Sweetened Dried Cranberries (Sugar, Dried Cranberries, Glycerin, Citric Acid, Sunflower Seed Oil), Degermed Yellow Corn Meal, Sugar, Whole Grain Rice, Rice. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Fructose, Canola And/Or Rice Bran Oil, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Molasses, Baking Soda, Distilled Monoglycerides, Natural Flavor, Soy Lecithin, Cocoa Powder, Yellow Corn Flour, Iron And Zinc (Mineral Nutrients), Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate), A B Vitamin (Niacinamide), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Mononitrate), Vitamin A (Palmitate), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), A B Vitamin (Folic Acid), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E (Mixed Tocopherols) And Bht Added To Preserve Freshness.

Categories

Snacks

Data Sources

Data as of May 2026. Source: OpenFoodFacts, FDA SAFFA, CSPI Chemical Cuisine.

Product data from OpenFoodFacts (ODbL). Ingredient safety ratings from FDA SAFFA and CSPI Chemical Cuisine. See our methodology for details.

This information is for reference only and does not constitute dietary or medical advice.

Product data from Open Food Facts; additive safety from the FDA SAFFA inventory and CSPI Chemical Cuisine. See our methodology for details. Compiled by PlainFoodSafe

Every figure on PlainFoodSafe is rendered directly from OpenFoodFacts and FDA data, no number is typed in by an editor. Product figures are computed directly from OpenFoodFacts, FDA SAFFA, and CSPI Chemical Cuisine 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 May 2026.