Hershey's Strawberry Syrup
Published · Updated
Hershey's Strawberry Syrup is a pourable topping for milk, ice cream and pancakes, made with real strawberry puree alongside plenty of sugar. It scores EC4: no protein or fibre on nutrition, ingredients held back by a synthetic dye and flavouring, and risk driven by the sugar. Best kept to a small drizzle now and then.
Ingredients, decoded
10 listed- Sugar
- ^ Strawberry Fruit Puree (#25%)
- Invert Sugar
- Water
- Stabilizers (1442, 440, 415)
- Acidity Regulator (330)
- Flavour (Artificial Flavouring Substances - Strawberry)
- Preservative (211)
- Sequestrant (331(iii))
- Synthetic Food Colour (124)
13 teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g · 65.4 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon
| Energy | 261.4 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 65.4 g |
| Total sugars | 65.4 g |
| Added sugars | 63.6 g |
| Total fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 26 mg |
Think this score is wrong?
What to know about Hershey's Strawberry Syrup
Real strawberry puree, but sugar leads the list
Hershey's Strawberry Syrup is a pourable fruit syrup built from sugar, strawberry fruit puree (25%), invert sugar and water, set with stabilisers and kept with a preservative. It is bought to stir into milk or pour over ice cream, pancakes and waffles, and the pack says it holds six servings.
Per 100 g it has 261.4 kcal and 65.4 g sugar, of which 63.6 g is declared as added. Protein and fat are 0 g, and sodium is 26 mg. In one 30 g serve (2 tablespoons) that comes to about 78 kcal and 19.6 g sugar, nearly all of the energy.
The front says real strawberry, and the list backs that up with 25% puree. It also carries an artificial strawberry flavour and a synthetic red colour, and sugar comes before the fruit. CleanPlate scores it EC4.
Why Hershey's Strawberry Syrup scores EC4
Nutrition is an E because there is no protein, fat or fibre declared, only sugar energy. Ingredients are a C, held back by a synthetic dye and flavouring. Risk is a 4 on 65.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 0 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 261 kcal
01 Nutrition density: why E
Protein is 0 g and fat is 0 g per 100 g, and no fibre is declared. The only energy is sugar: 261.4 kcal per 100 g, from 65.4 g of carbohydrate that is all sugar.
The strawberry puree adds almost no protein, and no vitamins or minerals are declared, so nothing lifts the grade.
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal. Protein also has to supply at least 12.5% of the calories to count, and 25% for full credit.
Mixed processing and additives
- Base
- Sugar
- Sweeteners
- Sugar, Invert Sugar
- Additives
- 6
- Flagged
- Sodium Benzoate
- Artificial flavour or colour
- Yes
02 Ingredient integrity: why C
Sugar, strawberry puree at 25% and invert sugar lead the list. The puree is real fruit, which helps, and no hollow label promise costs points.
The synthetic colour Ponceau 4R (124), the artificial strawberry flavouring and the stabilisers hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (1442) and xanthan gum (415) each cost ingredient points. Pectin (440) costs a little. The preservative (211), citric acid (330) and the sequestrant (331) cost nothing.
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 63.6 g
- Sodium
- 26 mg
03 Load risk: why 4
Sugar is nearly all of the risk: 65.4 g free sugar per 100 g, about 19.6 g in one 30 g serve. Fruit puree is listed, but its sugar is not separated out in the added-sugar line, so the full total is counted.
Sodium is 26 mg per 100 g, and there is no saturated fat or trans fat, so they add almost nothing. Risk lands on a 4.
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
Red flags
- −Red flag: High added sugar (63.6g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Sodium Benzoate
Green flags
- +Green flag: Low sodium
Does Hershey's Strawberry Syrup live up to its claims?
Real strawberry holds in part: the list shows 25% puree, but an artificial strawberry flavour and a synthetic dye sit beside it. The weight shown by the retailer differs from the pack.
- On the packPartly true
“Real strawberry”
Strawberry fruit puree is listed at 25%. An artificial strawberry flavouring and a synthetic red colour are also in the list, and sugar comes first.
- On the packBe careful
“New and fruity”
A quarter of the syrup is fruit puree, but sugar and invert sugar together are the larger share, at 65.4 g sugar per 100 g.
- Retail listingBe careful
“Net weight 250 g”
The retailer page shows 250 g, the pack shows 180 g. The pack's six servings of 30 g match 180 g.
What's in Hershey's Strawberry Syrup?
Sugar leads, then strawberry puree at 25% and invert sugar. The synthetic colour 124 and the artificial flavour are what cost ingredient points.
The ingredient list, read for you
Sugar comes first, then strawberry fruit puree (25%), invert sugar and water, so the syrup is a sweetened fruit base. Stabilisers (1442, 440, 415) give it body, citric acid (330) and the sequestrant (331) manage acidity, and sodium benzoate (211) preserves it. Artificial strawberry flavouring and the synthetic colour Ponceau 4R (124) supply the taste and the red.
Ingredients to watch
- SugarConcern
65.4 g per 100 g, with 63.6 g declared as added. One 30 g serve has about 19.6 g and drives the risk grade.
- Synthetic colour 124 (Ponceau 4R)Concern
A synthetic dye that costs ingredient points. The red could come from the fruit, and the dye adds no nutrition.
- Artificial strawberry flavouringWorth watching
Sits beside the 25% puree and costs ingredient points.
- Stabilisers 1442 and 415Worth watching
Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate and xanthan gum each cost ingredient points. Pectin (440) costs a little.
- Preservative 211Worth watching
Sodium benzoate keeps the syrup stable. It carries no ingredient points here.
- Strawberry pureeFine
25% of the syrup and listed second, so real fruit is present.
- Sodium and fatFine
26 mg sodium per 100 g and no fat, so neither adds to the risk.
What it doesn’t have
- No fibre is declared, and no vitamins or minerals are on the panel.
- The red colour is synthetic, not from the fruit.
Who should eat Hershey's Strawberry Syrup?
An occasional drizzle for most adults. Children, anyone managing diabetes and anyone watching weight should go lighter, since one serve has about 19.6 g sugar.
- Most adultsOccasionally
One 30 g serve has about 19.6 g sugar and no protein or fibre.
- ChildrenRarely
A synthetic dye and a preservative come with about 19.6 g sugar per serve.
- Diabetes or prediabetesCheck with your doctor
65.4 g sugar per 100 g, nearly all of it free sugar.
- Weight managementOccasionally
About 78 kcal per serve, all from sugar.
Recipes with Hershey's Strawberry Syrup
Use it as a drizzle on pancakes, ice cream or milk, and measure it: a 30 g serve is about 78 kcal and 19.6 g sugar.
Strawberry milk
Stir one 30 g serve into a glass of milk, which adds about 19.6 g sugar and 78 kcal from the syrup alone.
Pancakes or waffles
Drizzle half a serve, about 15 g, to keep the added sugar near 9.8 g.
Over ice cream
Use a spoonful on a scoop, as the pack suggests, and count it as the sweet part of the dessert at about 78 kcal per 30 g.
Hershey's Strawberry Syrup: common questions
What is the CleanPlate score of Hershey's Strawberry Syrup?
Hershey's Strawberry Syrup is a pourable topping for milk, ice cream and pancakes, made with real strawberry puree alongside plenty of sugar. It scores EC4: no protein or fibre on nutrition, ingredients held back by a synthetic dye and flavouring, and risk driven by the sugar. Best kept to a small drizzle now and then. Nutrition E, ingredients C, load risk 4; nutrition and ingredients run A to E, risk runs 1 to 5, and A and 1 are best.
How many calories and how much protein are in Hershey's Strawberry Syrup?
Per 100 g, Hershey's Strawberry Syrup has 261 kcal, 0 g protein, 65.4 g carbohydrate, 0 g fat and 63.6 g added sugar. One serve (2 tablespoons, 30 g) has 78 kcal and 0 g protein.
What are the ingredients in Hershey's Strawberry Syrup?
10 ingredients, in label order: Sugar, ^ Strawberry Fruit Puree (#25%), Invert Sugar, Water, Stabilizers (1442, 440, 415), Acidity Regulator (330), Flavour (Artificial Flavouring Substances - Strawberry), Preservative (211), Sequestrant (331(iii)), Synthetic Food Colour (124). Flagged: Sodium Benzoate (low concern).
Does Hershey's Strawberry Syrup live up to its claims?
3 claims checked: 1 is partly true, 2 need care. "Real strawberry" is partly true: Strawberry fruit puree is listed at 25%. An artificial strawberry flavouring and a synthetic red colour are also in the list, and sugar comes first. "New and fruity" needs care: A quarter of the syrup is fruit puree, but sugar and invert sugar together are the larger share, at 65.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Who should limit Hershey's Strawberry Syrup?
Most adults: occasionally. One 30 g serve has about 19.6 g sugar and no protein or fibre. Children: rarely. A synthetic dye and a preservative come with about 19.6 g sugar per serve. Diabetes or prediabetes: check with your doctor. 65.4 g sugar per 100 g, nearly all of it free sugar.
How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Hershey's Strawberry Syrup have?
Per 100 g, Hershey's Strawberry Syrup has 63.6 g added sugar and 26 mg sodium (about 0.1 g salt). The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 10 g added sugar, 600 mg sodium and 5 g saturated fat per 100 g. It is high in sugar.
Last reviewed October 23, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .
