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Brand owned by Abbott (United States) · about the brand
PediaSure
No age stated on pack — scored for 3–12 years.
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 5.0 ShowHide
Reviewed 8 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This product is formulated as a nutritional supplement for children, providing essential vitamins and minerals. However, the presence of undisclosed coloring and flavoring agents raises transparency concerns, especially for a product intended for a vulnerable population like children. While it contains beneficial components like FOS and probiotics, these are present in trace amounts, limiting their potential impact.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- High oleic sunflower oil
- Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil
- L-Arginine HCl
- Minerals
- Vitamins
- +3 more →
Declared allergens: Milk and Soy
Relevant if you have any of these allergies or intolerances.
Based on the declared ingredient list. This is a risk only to people with the allergy, not a general-population safety issue, so it does not lower the safety score.
Contains added sugar and undisclosed color and flavoring agents.
This children's nutritional supplement contains added sucrose, and its specific coloring and flavoring agents are not fully disclosed. While it provides vitamins and minerals, the lack of transparency on these additives is a concern for parents, particularly for children who may have sensitivities or allergies.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for baby. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
2 concerns could not be assessed from this label. That means we don't know — not that there's nothing to find.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitContains added sucrose. High intake of added sugars in young children is linked to dental caries and can contribute to unhealthy dietary patterns.
Specific sensitivities
Avoid if affectedThe product contains undisclosed 'Color' and 'Flavoring(s)'. If your child has known sensitivities or allergies to specific additives, caution is advised due to the lack of transparency.
Why the score is capped
Color, flavoring not disclosed — 2 additive classes are named without saying which substances they are
Rule F-CAP-13
What's good
Contains essential vitamins and minerals for child development
Includes beneficial amino acids like L-Arginine HCl, Taurine, and L-Carnitine
High Oleic Sunflower Oil is a healthier fat source
Watch out for
Sucrose is listed high in the ingredient order, indicating a significant amount of added sugar.
Undisclosed 'Color' and 'Flavoring(s)' raise transparency concerns for children's products.
Fructo-Oligosaccharide (FOS), Casein Hydrolysate, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus are present in trace amounts, so a meaningful benefit is unlikely.
Decode Label Analysis
The product contains undisclosed 'Color' and 'Flavoring(s)'. For a product intended for children, this lack of transparency is a concern as specific artificial colors or flavor components can trigger sensitivities or allergies in some children.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
This is a general health benefit claim that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition list.
Clinical proof is a certification or study result that cannot be verified from the ingredient or nutrition list.
Growth improvement is a performance claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient or nutrition list.
Growth catch-up is a health benefit claim that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition list.
Immune function is a health benefit claim that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition list.
Brain development is a health benefit claim that cannot be verified from the provided ingredient or nutrition list.
The label lists no partially-hydrogenated fat — the source of industrial trans fat — and the panel does not declare any, so the “no trans fat” claim is supported by the label.
The nutrition information lists more than 37 distinct nutrients, supporting the claim of 37 nutrients. 'Nutri Pull System' is a proprietary name that cannot be verified.
The first ingredient listed is Skim Milk Powder, which is dairy-based.
The ingredients list cocoa powder and flavoring(s), which supports the chocolate flavor claim.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Skim Milk PowderSKIM MILK POWDER
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2.
SucroseSUCROSE
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3.
Edible Vegetable OilEDIBLE VEGETABLE OIL
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Soy Oil within Edible Vegetable OilSOY OIL
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High Oleic Sunflower Oil within Edible Vegetable OilHIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL
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4.
MaltodextrinMALTODEXTRIN
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5.
Cocoa Powder 3.2%COCOA POWDER (3.2%)
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6.
Fructo-Oligosaccharide (FOS) 1.9% trace amountFRUCTO-OLIGOSACCHARIDE (FOS) (1.9%)
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7.
ColorCOLOR
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Caramel Powder within ColorCARAMEL POWDER
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8.
Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) OilMEDIUM CHAINTRIGLYCERIDE (MCT) OIL
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9.
Flavoring(s)FLAVORING(S)
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Natural Flavoring Substances within Flavoring(s)NATURAL, NATURE IDENTICAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORING SUBSTANCES - CHOCOLATE
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10.
L-Arginine HClL-ARGININE HCL
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11.
MineralsMINERALS
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12.
Casein Hydrolysate 0.34% trace amountCASEIN HYDROLYSATE (0.34%)
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13.
VitaminsVITAMINS
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14.
M-InositolM-INOSITOL
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15.
TaurineTAURINE
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16.
L-CarnitineL-CARNITINE
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17.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus 0.001% trace amountLACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS (0.001%)
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
These are major food allergens named on the ingredient list. They are a risk only to people allergic to them — not a general-population safety issue — so they do not lower the safety score. Anyone with the allergy should avoid this product, and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
The label declares each of these as a blend and then lists what is in it. The components appear in the groups above on their own merits, so the blend itself is shown here rather than counted a second time.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 452 kcal |
| Protein | 14.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 64.74 g |
| Total Fat | 15 g |
| Sodium | 175 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.9 MG |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 1 MG |
| Carnitine | 6.7 MG |
| Potassium | 512 MG |
| Chloride | 420 MG |
| Manganese | 0.98 MG |
| Chromium | 12 MCG |
| Molybdenum | 19.7 MCG |
| Inositol | 32 MG |
| Niacin | 7 MG NE |
| Vitamin B6 | 1 MG |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.09 MCG |
| Pantothenic Acid | 3,100 MCG |
| Calcium | 605 MG |
| Vitamin D2 | 11 MCG |
| Arginine | 1,099 MG |
| Vitamin K2 | 8.8 MCG |
| Phosphorus | 408 MG |
| Magnesium | 50 MG |
| Zinc | 4.94 MG |
| Copper | 400 MCG |
| Folate | 110 MCG |
| Selenium | 32.9 MCG |
| Iron | 12.09 MG |
| Vitamin A | 439 MCG RE |
| Vitamin C | 35.2 MG |
| Vitamin E | 7.7 MG a+ TE |
| Linoleic Acid | 3,200 MG |
| Alpha-Linolenic Acid | 351 MG |
| Taurine | 28 MG |
| Choline | 118 MG |
| Biotin | 16 MCG |
| Iodine | 99 MCG |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
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What are the ingredients in PediaSure?
The label of PediaSure lists 21 ingredients, in label order: Skim Milk Powder, Sucrose, Edible Vegetable Oil, Soy Oil, High oleic sunflower oil, Maltodextrin, Cocoa powder, Fructo-Oligosaccharide (FOS), Color, Caramel Powder, Medium Chain Triglyceride (MCT) Oil, Flavoring(s), Natural Flavoring Substances, L-Arginine HCl, Minerals, Casein Hydrolysate, Vitamins, M-Inositol, Taurine, L-Carnitine, Lactobacillus Acidophilus. Flagged by the analysis: Sucrose, Flavoring(s).
Is PediaSure safe to eat?
PediaSure scores 5.0/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This children's nutritional supplement contains added sucrose, and its specific coloring and flavoring agents are not fully disclosed. While it provides vitamins and minerals, the lack of transparency on these additives is a concern for parents, particularly for children who may have sensitivities or allergies.
Why does PediaSure score 5.0/10?
Flagged in the score: Sucrose is listed high in the ingredient order, indicating a significant amount of added sugar. Also noted: Undisclosed 'Color' and 'Flavoring(s)' raise transparency concerns for children's products. Fructo-Oligosaccharide (FOS), Casein Hydrolysate, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus are present in trace amounts, so a meaningful benefit is unlikely.
Who should avoid PediaSure?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Children with sensitivities to undisclosed additives; Children on sugar-restricted diets; Milk allergy / lactose intolerance; Soy allergy.
Is PediaSure suitable for babies or young children?
Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does PediaSure contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains milk (Skim Milk Powder and Casein Hydrolysate) and soy (Soy Oil). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does PediaSure contain milk?
Yes — the ingredient list names Skim Milk Powder and Casein Hydrolysate. People with milk allergy / lactose intolerance should treat it as containing milk, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does PediaSure contain soy?
Yes — the ingredient list names Soy Oil. People with soy allergy should treat it as containing soy, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Are the claims on the PediaSure pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 10 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Vital Nutrients to Help Kids Grow" — can't be verified from the label. "CLINICALLY PROVEN" — can't be verified from the label. "4X GROWTH IMPROVEMENT" — can't be verified from the label.
Is PediaSure vegetarian?
PediaSure is marked vegetarian.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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Recipes change and packs get reformulated. If the ingredients or the panel on the pack in your hand differ from what we show, tell us and we will check it.
About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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