(NEXSTAR) – A viral TikTok post highlighting the ingredients in two similar canisters of Planters peanuts has ignited a debate — and even a few arguments — since it was posted earlier this week.
The post, shared to TikTok by a user who goes by @NessStevs, shows the user’s mother explaining the discrepancies in the ingredients between two types of Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts: the Salted and the Lightly Salted varieties.
The user’s mother begins by reading some of the ingredients in the Salted variety, which contains sugar, cornstarch and corn syrup, among the dozen or so ingredients on the label.
She then points to the ingredients listed on the Lightly Salted peanuts, which contain only peanuts and sea salt.
“This goes in the cart,” the woman says, indicating she’d rather purchase the Lightly Salted variety from her supermarket.
The full list of ingredients in Planters Salted Dry Roasted Peanuts, according to the official Planters website, are: peanuts, sea salt, spices (contains celery), dried onion, dried garlic, paprika, natural flavor, sugar, cornstarch, gelatin, torula yeast, maltodextrin and dried corn syrup. As highlighted in the video, the Lightly Salted variety — which looks nearly identical on the supermarket shelf — contains just peanuts and sea salt.
When asked about the discrepancy between the two products’ ingredients, a spokesperson for Hormel Foods — which owns the Planters brand — suggested the extra flavorings and additives in the Salted nuts serve multiple purposes.
“As the makers of the Planters® brand, we offer a broad portfolio of products to provide options that fit a variety of consumer preferences and lifestyles,” Hormel wrote in a statement shared with Nexstar. “The difference between the two products highlighted in the video comes down to flavor and ingredient choices. Our Planters® Salted Dry Roasted Peanuts are made with additional spices and ingredients to enhance flavor and ensure that the flavor stays evenly distributed and attached to the nuts.
“We’re committed to giving consumers the choices they want,” the statement concluded.
The TikTok video has since prompted a spirited debate among viewers, with some using it to bolster their arguments against deceptive advertising on food packaging and added sugars. But others had stressed that the video focuses on two separate (albeit very similar) products, and the ingredients are merely a reflection of that fact.
“I don’t understand why people feel tricked or upset when the ingredients are on the label,” one commenter wrote.
“I think people just wants what it says upfront,” another replied. “They didn’t want sugar and corn syrup peanuts. They just wanted some salt.”
"How does that make sense?" another asked of the sugar and cornstarch, specifically.
"I never understood this," another agreed. "Why?!?!?!"
Several folks defended Planters by suggested a few of the extra ingredients in the Salted variety were included to help more salt stick to the nuts themselves. But others still took umbrage with that explanation, which didn’t account for the spices and flavorings. Some users, too, were bothered by the inclusion of gelatin, which is not a suitable additive for vegan or vegetarian consumers — an issue that some Redditors have been upset about for years.
“Well, that was a label I never thought needed checking,” one Reddit user said.
“I will diligently check ingredients in nuts from now on,” another wrote.
Many of the commenters on TikTok, meanwhile, didn’t really seem too bothered by the extra ingredients at all.
“Just grow up and eat what you want,” one viewer said.
