High Risk

Mars, Inc. — STRAWBERRY, GRAPE, LEMON, ORANGE, APPLE SOUR GUMMIES CANDY, STRAWBERRY, GRAPE, LEMON, ORANGE, APPLE

by Mars, Inc.
Source: USDA FoodData Central | Mapped: 176 MRT Panel Substances | Reviewed by Kerry Watson, NTP, RWP

MRT 176 Panel Triggers Identified

Cane SugarCornCitric AcidTapiocaStrawberryGrapeLemonOrangeAppleFD&C Red #40FD&C Yellow #5FD&C Yellow #6FD&C Blue #1FD&C Blue #2
LEAP Phase Status: Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided

Clinical Product Assessment

MRT 176 Panel Safety Assessment

Clinical Narrative

This gummy candy contains 14 MRT-tested substances, including five synthetic food dyes, one chemical preservative/acidulant, and eight food triggers. The product relies on a base of Corn Syrup and Sugar, both of which are tested on the MRT 176 panel. Furthermore, the inclusion of multiple fruit-derived ingredients or flavorings (Strawberry, Grape, Lemon, Orange, Apple) alongside ‘natural and artificial flavors’ creates a high potential for adverse reactions in sensitive individuals. The complexity of this ingredient profile makes it unsuitable for the elimination or early reintroduction phases of the LEAP protocol.

Flagged Ingredient Mapping

Ingredient Maps To (MRT Panel) Match Type
Sugar Cane Sugar DIRECT_MATCH
Corn Syrup Corn DIRECT_MATCH
Citric Acid Citric Acid CHEMICAL_MATCH
Tapioca Starch Tapioca DIRECT_MATCH
Strawberry Strawberry DIRECT_MATCH
Grape Grape DIRECT_MATCH
Lemon Lemon DIRECT_MATCH
Orange Orange DIRECT_MATCH
Apple Apple DIRECT_MATCH
Red 40 FD&C Red #40 CHEMICAL_MATCH
Yellow 5 FD&C Yellow #5 CHEMICAL_MATCH
Yellow 6 FD&C Yellow #6 CHEMICAL_MATCH
Blue 1 FD&C Blue #1 CHEMICAL_MATCH
Blue 2 FD&C Blue #2 CHEMICAL_MATCH

Unknown / Ambiguous Ingredients

The following ingredients could not be definitively mapped: natural and artificial flavors

This is procedural data interpretation, not medical guidance. Always consult your Certified LEAP Therapist.

Understanding These Triggers

🍬
Cane Sugar

Cane sugar sensitivity is specific to sugarcane-derived sweeteners and is distinct from glucose intolerance. Look for it in ingredient lists as sucrose, cane juice, or turbinado sugar.

🌽
Corn

Corn derivatives are among the hardest triggers to avoid. Found as corn syrup, cornstarch, modified food starch, dextrose, maltodextrin, and citric acid in thousands of processed products.

⚗️
Citric Acid

A chemical additive tested on the MRT panel. Industrially produced from Aspergillus niger mold, not citrus fruit. Found in beverages, canned goods, candy, and as a preservative in thousands of products.

🫘
Tapioca

Tapioca (cassava-derived starch) is MRT-tested. Increasingly used as a gluten-free thickener, in boba tea, puddings, and as modified food starch. Common in allergen-free baking.

🍓
Strawberry

Strawberry is an MRT-tested fruit found in yogurts, ice cream, jams, and flavored beverages. Also appears as "natural strawberry flavor" in many processed foods.

🍇
Grape

Grape is an MRT-tested fruit found in wine, juice, jelly, raisins, and grape seed extract. Also a source of tartaric acid used as a food additive.

🍋
Lemon

Lemon is tested as a standalone citrus substance on the MRT panel. It appears in beverages, dressings, marinades, and as a flavoring agent. Distinct from citric acid sensitivity.

🍊
Orange

Orange is an MRT-tested citrus fruit. Found in juice, marmalade, candied peel, and as natural orange flavoring. Cross-reactivity with other citrus fruits is not assumed on the MRT panel.

🍎
Apple

Apple is an MRT-tested fruit that appears in juice blends, baby food, applesauce, pectin-based products, and as a sweetener (apple juice concentrate) in many "natural" foods.

🔴
FD&C Red #40

Allura Red AC is the most widely used food dye and one of the most reactive chemical additives on the MRT panel. Found in candy, beverages, cereals, snack foods, and even some medications.

🟡
FD&C Yellow #5

Tartrazine (Yellow #5) is an azo dye on the MRT chemical panel. Found in processed foods, beverages, and medications. Cross-reactivity with aspirin sensitivity has been documented in clinical literature.

🟠
FD&C Yellow #6

Sunset Yellow FCF is a synthetic azo dye tested on the MRT chemical panel. Found in cereals, snack foods, candy, and some medications. Banned in several countries outside the US.

What This Means For Your Diet

With 14 identified triggers, this product has a high concentration of MRT-tested substances. The probability that at least one of these triggers is reactive on your personal panel is statistically significant.

This product is not recommended during Phase 1 (Elimination) or Phase 2 (Reintroduction). It may only be considered during Phase 3 (Maintenance) after your Certified LEAP Therapist has confirmed that all 14 substances scored Green on your individual MRT results.

Products with 3 or more MRT panel triggers require individualized evaluation. Do not attempt to self-assess — your CLT has the clinical training to weigh multiple reactive substances and potential cross-reactivity.

Full Ingredient List

Sugar, Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Tapioca Starch, Strawberry, Grape, Lemon, Orange, Apple, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2

More from Mars, Inc.

UPC: 022000289735 Last Updated: April 26, 2026

About This Assessment

This safety assessment was generated by cross-referencing the USDA FoodData Central ingredient record for this product against the 176 substances tested on the Mediator Release Test (MRT) panel. Clinical notes are produced with AI assistance using the matched ingredient data and reviewed by Kerry Watson, NTP, RWP for accuracy against published LEAP ImmunoCalm® protocol guidelines. Risk classifications are based on the number and type of MRT-tested substances identified. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice — always consult your Certified LEAP Therapist before making dietary changes.

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Medical Disclaimer: This data is algorithmically generated based on USDA databases and is not medical advice. Always consult your Certified LEAP Therapist.