amber
Carboxymethylcellulose
The 2015 Chassaing et al. study in Nature showed this emulsifier disrupts gut microbiota and induces low-grade inflammation.
Low Tox Gear · Scanner
Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar Chocolate Fudge Brownie 60g
Is Muscle Nation Custard Protein Bar Chocolate Fudge Brownie 60g low tox? Our scanner flagged 4 ingredients (4 in the caution tier) on its published label, screened against our 237 source-cited chemical rules.
4 caution
4 ingredients flagged
What we flagged
amber
Sucralose
Studies show altered gut microbiota and increased gut permeability.
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.
Full ingredients (from label)
Muscle Nation Double Chocolate Custard 26% (Muscle Nation Double Chocolate Flavoured Custard Powder (Milk Protein Concentrate 73.6% (Casein Protein 85%), Fibre (Inulin), Cocoa Powder 6.9%, Medium-Chain-Triglyceride (MCT) Oil Powder (Antioxidants 306, 307b) (Milk), Flavour, Thickener (Carboxymethylcellulose), Sweetener (Sucralose), Sodium Chloride), Sweetener (Maltitol), Humectant (Glycerol), Isomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre))No Added Sugar Dark Chocolate 20% (Cocoa Solids 55%, Sweetener (Maltitol), Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin, 476), Natural Vanilla Flavour)Choc Paste 8% (Invert Sugar, Humectants (Sorbitol, Glycerol), Concentrated Pear Puree, Bulking Agent (Polydextrose), Cocoa Powder (4.6%), Sunflower Oil, Wheat Fibre, Natural Flavours, Gelling Agent (Pectin), Firming Agent (Calcium Lactate))PolydextroseSoy Protein IsolateHydrolysed CollagenHumectant (Glycerol)Soy Protein CrispsMilk Protein ConcentrateIsomalto-Oligosaccharide (Soluble Fibre)Whey Protein Concentrate (Milk)Cocoa Powder 2.5%Sunflower OilNatural FlavourSaltEmulsifier (Soy Lecithin)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.