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Dots

Common questions

Is Dots healthy?

Dots scores 11/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — one of the lower scores in Scout's catalog. Dots scores 11/100.

Does Dots contain seed oils?

No — Scout's ingredient analysis marks Dots as seed-oil free.

Has Dots been lab-tested?

Yes. Dots carries an independent laboratory panel from Independent third-party laboratory testing covering 1 contaminant (including Arsenic) — the full results are on this page.

How processed is Dots?

Dots is NOVA Group 4: Ultra-Processed Foods.

How does Dots compare to other candy?

Dots ranks #46 of 56 candy in Scout's independent rankings. The current top score in the category is SOLELY Organic Mango & Guava Fruit Gummies at 88/100.

Which ingredients drive Dots's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Corn Syrup, Sugar, Modified Food Starch (Corn) are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

Healthy alternatives

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88
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Mimi Caramelle Sugar Free Fresh Mint

See more

Dots

Dots
Seed oil free Lab tested
11 Poor

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 0
Harmful ingredients 9
Owned by Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.
Category Candy
Summary

Dots scores 11/100. Third-party 2025 testing detected 430 ppb arsenic. Titanium dioxide (EU-banned food additive over genotoxicity concerns) plus four petroleum-derived synthetic dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1) for the rainbow gumdrops. Owned by Tootsie Roll Industries.

Contaminants 1

Source: Independent third-party laboratory testing

Arsenic
430 ppb
High

Detected at a high level — at or above health-based exposure limits. Regular exposure at this level is a genuine health concern. No safe level of arsenic exposure exists; chronic exposure is linked to increased cancer risk (lung, skin, kidney, bladder), cardiovascular disease, and neurodevelopmental harm in children.

Independent third-party testing detected arsenic at 430 parts per billion — a severe contamination level.

Key ingredients 12

Titanium Dioxide
Very Bad

Banned as a food additive in the EU (2022) after EFSA concluded it could not be considered safe.

See more about Titanium Dioxide →
Red 40
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

See more about Red 40 →
Yellow 5
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

See more about Yellow 5 →
Yellow 6
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

See more about Yellow 6 →
Blue 1
Very Bad

Petroleum-derived synthetic dye.

See more about Blue 1 →
Corn Syrup
Bad

First ingredient — industrial glucose.

See more about Corn Syrup →
Sugar
Bad

Second sweetener.

See more about Sugar →
Modified Food Starch (Corn)
Bad

Chemically modified corn starch — the product's gel structure.

See more about Modified Food Starch (Corn) →
Natural & Artificial Flavors
Bad

Mix of proprietary and undisclosed synthetic flavor compounds.

See more about Natural & Artificial Flavors →
Malic Acid
Neutral

Tartness acidulant.

See more about Malic Acid →
Sodium Lactate
Neutral

pH buffer.

See more about Sodium Lactate →
Lactic Acid
Neutral

pH stabilizer.

See more about Lactic Acid →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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