COCOA PEBBLES

food & drinks • For 2-5 year old children • Consumable 🍝

food & drinks

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COCOA PEBBLES - Front

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Ingredient List

COCOA PEBBLES - Ingredients

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Safe for preschoolers to eat COCOA PEBBLES?

🚫
NO - AVOID
Danger Score: 11 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: COCOA PEBBLES contains 19 ingredients. 1 concerning, 2 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Consider preschooler activity levels.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (19 found)

BHT
🚨6/10
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative. It has potential toxicity concerns and is not recommended for young children in consumables.
Cancer - Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) has shown evidence of being a possible carcinogen in animal studies, with some regulatory agencies listing it as a possible human carcinogen.
Organ Risk - High doses of BHT have been linked to liver and kidney effects in animal studies, raising concerns about organ toxicity with repeated or high exposure.
Hormones - Some studies suggest BHT may have endocrine-disrupting properties, potentially interfering with hormone function.
Builds Up - BHT is a fat-soluble compound and can accumulate in body tissues over time with repeated exposure.
Long-Term Risk - Long-term exposure to BHT has been associated with chronic health effects in animal studies, though human data is limited.
Banned - BHT is banned or restricted in certain countries for use in food products due to safety concerns.
Confidence: HIGH
Artificial Flavor
⚠️5/10
Artificial flavors are a vague category with potential unknown synthetics. Some may cause hypersensitivity. Use with caution in 2-5 year olds in consumables.
Long-Term Risk - Artificial flavors are a broad category of synthetic chemicals, some of which have been linked in animal studies and limited human data to potential long-term health effects, especially with repeated exposure in early life. The lack of transparency about specific chemicals used increases uncertainty about their safety for babies.
Organ Risk - Certain artificial flavoring agents have been associated with organ toxicity in animal studies, particularly affecting the liver and kidneys after repeated ingestion. Babies are more vulnerable due to their developing organs.
Immune system - Some artificial flavors may alter immune responses or increase the risk of allergies, especially in infants with developing immune systems.
ADHD/ADD - There is some evidence linking artificial food additives, including certain artificial flavors, to increased hyperactivity and attention issues in children, though the evidence is not conclusive for all artificial flavors.
Confidence: HIGH
Natural Flavor
⚠️4/10
Natural flavor is a non specific label. It is commonly used to make products taste better. For two to five year olds the risk is generally low but unknown components can hide allergens or irritants.
No Known Risk - Natural flavor is a broad term for flavoring substances derived from natural sources. While the exact composition can vary, current research and regulatory reviews have not identified immediate health risks for babies when used in typical amounts in consumable products. There is no strong evidence linking natural flavors to specific health risks in infants, so an abundance of caution suggests it is generally considered safe.
Confidence: HIGH
Cocoa
✅3/10
Cocoa is generally safe in small amounts for 2-5 year olds but contains caffeine and theobromine which can cause mild stimulant effects. Likely used for flavor in sweetened cereal.
No Known Risk - Cocoa is generally recognized as safe for consumption in babies when used in appropriate amounts. There is no strong evidence linking cocoa to any of the listed risks for babies, such as irritation, hormone disruption, or long-term health effects, when consumed in typical dietary amounts. However, caution should be used regarding added sugars or caffeine content in some cocoa products, but pure cocoa itself does not present known risks based on current research.
Confidence: HIGH
Sugar
✅3/10
Sugar in small amounts is allowed for 2 to 5 year olds but has minor risks like tooth decay and extra calories.
Confidence: HIGH
Caramel Color
✅2/10
Caramel Color is generally safe as a food coloring but may contain trace contaminants. Used for color in sweetened cereals for appeal. Minor concerns for 2-5 years old.
Confidence: HIGH
Salt
✅2/10
Salt is commonly used in small amounts in sweetened cereals for flavor. It is generally safe for 2-5 year olds but intake should be limited to avoid excess sodium.
Confidence: HIGH
Zinc Oxide
✅2/10
Used as a zinc source in fortified foods or kids supplements. Safe at regulated doses for 2 to 5 years. Excess may cause GI upset and copper deficiency.
Confidence: HIGH
Canola Oil
✅1/10
Canola oil is commonly used in baby foods and cereals as a safe fat source. It is low in saturated fat and generally safe for 2-5 year olds.
No Known Risk - Canola oil is widely used in infant formulas and baby foods and is considered safe for consumption by babies. There is no strong scientific evidence linking canola oil to any of the listed risks when used as a food ingredient for infants. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EFSA have not identified canola oil as a risk for babies.
Confidence: HIGH
Niacinamide
✅1/10
Essential vitamin B3 form for fortification. Safe at typical food levels for 2 to 5 years. High supplement doses may cause nausea or liver effects. Included as a nutrient.
No Known Risk - Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is generally recognized as safe for consumption, including in infants, when used at recommended dietary levels. There is no strong evidence linking it to any of the listed risks in babies, and it is an essential nutrient for growth and development.
Confidence: HIGH
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
✅1/10
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is vitamin B6 commonly added to baby foods and formulas. It is safe for 2-5 year olds at recommended levels.
No Known Risk - Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is a form of vitamin B6 commonly used in infant formulas and supplements. It is considered safe at recommended dosages, with no evidence of harm or negative health effects in babies when used appropriately. There are no established links to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other risks listed above at normal exposure levels.
Confidence: HIGH
Reduced Iron
✅1/10
Iron is essential for toddlers 2-5 years for development and commonly added to cereals for nutrition. Safe at recommended levels in baby foods.
Confidence: HIGH
Rice
✅1/10
Rice is commonly used in baby foods for 2-5 years old and is very safe with minimal allergy risk and good nutritional value.
No Known Risk - Rice is widely used as a first food for babies and is generally considered safe when cooked and served appropriately. There are no immediate health concerns or established risks associated with rice itself for babies based on current research, aside from rare allergies. However, concerns about arsenic in rice are not directly related to the rice ingredient itself but to environmental contamination, so the ingredient rice alone does not warrant a risk label.
Confidence: HIGH
Vitamin A Palmitate
✅1/10
Vitamin A Palmitate is a common safe vitamin A source in baby foods and cereals for ages 2-5 when used within recommended limits.
Confidence: HIGH
Vitamin D3
✅1/10
Vitamin D3 is essential for bone health and safe in appropriate doses for 2-5 year olds. It is commonly added to cereals for nutritional benefit.
No Known Risk - Vitamin D3 is considered safe for babies when used at recommended dietary levels. There is no strong evidence linking it to the listed risks when used appropriately. Toxicity is only a concern at extremely high doses, which is not typical for normal use in baby products.
Confidence: HIGH
Folic Acid
✅0/10
Folic Acid is very safe for 2-5 year olds and commonly added to cereals for nutritional fortification to prevent deficiencies.
No Known Risk - Folic acid is an essential B vitamin recommended for infants and pregnant women, with no evidence of harm at recommended doses. There are no established links to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other risks in babies when used appropriately.
Confidence: HIGH
Riboflavin
✅0/10
Riboflavin is vitamin B2 essential for growth and energy metabolism. It is safe and commonly added to baby foods and cereals for ages 2-5 years.
No Known Risk - Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is an essential nutrient with no evidence of harm or negative health effects in babies when consumed at recommended levels. It is not linked to irritation, allergies, hormone disruption, cancer, or any other risk labels listed. Therefore, it is considered safe for baby consumption based on current research.
Confidence: HIGH
Vitamin B12
✅0/10
Vitamin B12 is essential and safe for 2-5 year olds in baby food and supplements at recommended levels. It supports growth and brain development.
No Known Risk - Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient required for healthy development in babies and children. There is no evidence linking normal dietary or supplemental use of vitamin B12 to any of the listed risks. It is considered safe when used as directed and is not associated with irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other negative health effects in infants.
Confidence: HIGH
Thiamin Mononitrate
✅0/10
Thiamine Mononitrate is a stable form of vitamin B1 essential for energy metabolism and safe for 2-5 year olds in nutritional drinks.
No Known Risk - Thiamine Mononitrate is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 commonly used in food fortification and supplements. It is considered safe for infants and children at recommended dietary levels, with no evidence linking it to irritation, allergies, hormone disruption, cancer, or other health risks based on current research.
Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About COCOA PEBBLES

Preschooler-safe? COCOA PEBBLES

COCOA PEBBLES is not recommended for 2-5 year old children due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 19 ingredients in COCOA PEBBLES. 1 concerning, 2 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

Is this suitable for preschoolers to eating food & drinks?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers

Product Recognition: Product names are identified programatically and may be incorrect. Always verify product identity yourself.

Safety Analysis: Evaluations are for research only - consult pediatricians for medical decisions. Do not rely solely on this analysis.

No Guarantees: Results may be incomplete or inaccurate. Do not rely solely on this analysis.