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Carboxymethylcellulose
The 2015 Chassaing et al. study in Nature showed this emulsifier disrupts gut microbiota and induces low-grade inflammation.
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Muscle Nation Protein Bar Custard Birthday Cake 60g
Is Muscle Nation Protein Bar Custard Birthday Cake 60g low tox? Our scanner flagged 8 ingredients (8 in the caution tier) on its published label, screened against our 237 source-cited chemical rules.
8 caution
8 ingredients flagged
What we flagged
amber
Sucralose
Studies show altered gut microbiota and increased gut permeability.
amber
Tartrazine
Implicated in childhood hyperactivity (Southampton study) and MCAS reactions.
amber
Sunset Yellow Fcf
Hyperactivity link in childhood studies; warnings required in EU.
amber
Allura Red Ac
Implicated in childhood hyperactivity (Southampton study). Banned in some EU member states.
amber
Maltitol
Sugar alcohol. Common osmotic-laxative and bloating trigger in IBS at >10g intake.
amber
E476
Castor-oil-derived emulsifier ubiquitous in compound chocolate. Same gut-barrier concerns as the other Chassaing-class emulsifiers.
amber
Titanium Dioxide
Banned as a food additive in the EU (2022) due to nano-particle genotoxicity concerns. Inhalation classified IARC Group 2B.
Full ingredients (from label)
Muscle Nation Vanilla Custard 26% (Muscle Nation Vanilla Custard Powder 32.4% (Milk Protein Concentrate 71.8% (Casein Protein 85%, Whey Protein), Skim Milk Powder, Fibre (Inulin), Flavour, Medium-Chain-Triglyceride (MCT) Oil Powder (Antioxidants 306, 307b) (Milk), Thickener (Carboxymethylcellulose), Sweetener (Sucralose), Sodium Chloride, Colour (Curcumin, Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow FCF, Allura Red AC)), Sweetener (Maltitol), Humectant (Glycerol), Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre))No Added Sugar Protein White Chocolate 20% (Sweetener (Maltitol), Cocoa Solids 33%, Soy Protein Isolate, Milk Solids 10%, Emulsifiers (Soy Lecithin, 476), Food Acid (Citric Acid))Caramel Paste 8% (Invert Sugar, Humectants (Sorbitol, Glycerol), Concentrated Pear Puree, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Sunflower Oil, Citrus Fibre, Natural Colours (Caramel I, Titanium Dioxide), Gelling Agent (Pectin), Firming Agent (Calcium Lactate), Natural Flavour)PolydextroseSoy Protein IsolateSprinkles 6% (Sugar, Vegetable Fat, Thickener (1401), Modified Wheat Starch (1422), Glucose Syrup, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Natural Colours (160a, 163, 162, 100), Spirulina Extract)Hydrolysed CollagenHumectant (Glycerol)Milk Protein ConcentrateIsomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre)Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk)Sunflower OilSoy Protein CrispsNatural FlavourSaltEmulsifier (Soy Lecithin)Natural Colour (160a)Antioxidant (307b).
How this analysis is generated
Each ingredient on this product's published label is matched against our 237 source-cited chemical rules, each documenting a concern from peer-reviewed research and regulatory sources. Severity tiers:
- Avoid (red) — banned or restricted in the EU, UK or Canada but still legal in the US, IARC-listed, or strong contact-allergen evidence.
- Caution (amber) — regulatory caution, contamination risk, or condition-specific irritant.
- Mild (green) — low concern but commonly avoided in low-tox formulations.
Each flag links to its primary chemical-level source, and each condition pill links to a PubMed-indexed paper that discusses the chemical class in the context of that condition. Every citation is a real peer-reviewed paper — we don't link to Wikipedia or PubMed search pages. Some pairs use a topically-broad paper (e.g. a fragrance-allergen patch-test review) rather than a single-pair study where the literature is thin. The full evidence chain (chemical → mechanism → condition → paper) is one click away.
This is automated analysis of a published label, not medical advice — always verify the label yourself before changing products. Methodology and source list at scan.lowtoxgear.com.