A new snack from Trader Joe's has customers experiencing unpleasant digestive side effects. The grocery chain, renowned for its innovative snack offerings, recently introduced Sweet & Sour Gummy Worms Candies, marketed as a zero-sugar version of a classic treat. However, the product's high fiber content is drawing more attention than its taste.
High Fiber Content Raises Concerns
According to a Reddit post by a Trader Joe's employee, each serving of the gummies contains 14 grams of fiber and only 35 calories. With approximately five servings per bag, consuming the entire package means ingesting about 70 grams of fiber. For comparison, a serving of prunes, known for aiding digestion, provides just three grams of fiber, as noted by the California Prune Board.
Customers have reported adverse effects after eating the gummies. One Reddit user commented, "They taste like sparkling water and made everyone at work today HELLA gassy." Another employee shared, "Mate at my store ate a whole bag and had to go home to use the bathroom. Per his own words it was pretty bad." A third user claimed the side effects persisted for days, stating, "I ate the whole bag high not realizing how much fiber was in these. I have been pooping for three days now!"
Call for Clearer Labeling
Many Reddit users have called for better labeling to warn customers about the high fiber content. One person wrote, "To me it seems a bit irresponsible to not label these as high fiber or something if the label is correct. There's over 2 days worth of fiber in the whole bag and it's such a small bag that it would be super easy to just eat the whole thing in one sitting."
According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, most people should consume 14 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories, which translates to about 25 to 28 grams daily for women and 28 to 34 grams for men. The gummy worms far exceed these recommendations in a single bag.
Trader Joe's did not respond to requests for comment from The Independent. In the meantime, employees have taken it upon themselves to warn customers. One worker said, "I’ve been warning customers about this if they buy one... A few people thanked me for pointing that out and put it back/no longer wanted it."
For those seeking natural fiber sources, the Academy recommends raspberries, black beans, pears with skin, and avocados.
