Ritz Crackers, Original

What’s in it

• CWheat FlourRefined wheat flour with the bran and germ removed, so it is a processed grain rather than a whole grain. It is common and allowed, but nutritionally less protective than whole grains for children.PubMed · NIH
• ANiacinAn added B vitamin used for fortification. Fortified vitamins and minerals are generally considered safe and are commonly recommended in public-health nutrition.PubMed · NIH
• AReduced IronAn added mineral fortifier used to restore iron lost during refining. Fortification is generally considered safe and can help prevent iron deficiency in children.PubMed · NIH
• AThiamine MononitrateAn added form of vitamin B1 used for enrichment. This is a standard fortified nutrient and is considered safe at typical food levels.PubMed · NIH
• ARiboflavinAn added form of vitamin B2 used for enrichment. It is a standard fortified vitamin and is considered safe at typical food levels.PubMed · NIH
• AFolic AcidAn added form of folate used for enrichment. Fortification with folic acid is a well-established public-health measure and is generally safe in foods.PubMed · NIH
• BVegetable OilA mixed plant oil blend that may include soybean, canola, palm, or partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil. The exact composition is unclear, and if partially hydrogenated oil is present it would raise concern, but as a generic vegetable oil blend the safety data are limited and overall risk is moderate.PubMed · NIH
• CSugarAdded cane or beet sugar is a refined sweetener with no essential nutrients. It is widely used but should be limited in children because frequent intake can contribute to excess added sugar exposure.PubMed · NIH
• BSaltA basic mineral used for flavor and preservation. It is generally safe in small amounts, but children can exceed recommended sodium intake if a product is salty.PubMed · NIH
• CLeaveningA functional ingredient used to help baked goods rise. Because this includes one or more baking or acid salts and the exact blend is not specified, safety concerns are low but the ingredient is processing-related rather than whole food.PubMed · NIH
• DHigh Fructose Corn SyrupAn added sugar syrup used to sweeten foods. It is not banned, but frequent intake in children is linked to excess calorie intake and poorer dental and metabolic outcomes, so it rates on the higher concern side.PubMed · NIH
• CSoy LecithinA processed emulsifier made from soy that helps ingredients mix smoothly. It is generally recognized as safe, with limited child-specific safety concerns, so it rates in the middle.PubMed · NIH
• CMalted Barley FlourBarley flour that has been malted, which makes it more processed and often sweeter than whole grains. It is not inherently unsafe, but it is not a whole-grain ingredient.PubMed · NIH
• CNatural FlavorA broad flavoring category that can come from many sources and is not very transparent. It is typically permitted and used in small amounts, but because the exact composition is unspecified, child-specific safety data are limited.PubMed · NIH