CleanFoodScore.

Sweets & treats · US label

Little Debbie

Starfish Shortbread Cookies

31/ 100 clean scoreLists seed oils, artificial dyes, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils and banned-abroad additives5 of the 9 additive groups we check are on the label.

Higher-scoring pick on this shelf: Back to Nature Organic Shortbread Cookies (100/100)

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Product source: Packaging may vary.
Compare all cookies by clean score

The recorded US ingredient statement lists seed oils, artificial dyes, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils and banned-abroad additives (5 of the 9 additive groups we check). Confirm the exact formula on your package.

Label checked 2026-10-20. USDA FoodData Central · How we verify labels and scores

Label review by CleanFoodScore Research Team.

Label on your package different? Tell us.

How scoring works

The clean score reads only the ingredient label. Up to 60 points come from the 9 additive groups we check: each group not on the label earns its share, and a group named only in a "may contain" note earns half. Up to 25 points come from an organic claim we have confirmed. Points that do not apply to this kind of food are left out and the rest is scaled to 100.

This product: 4 of 9 groups not on the label. No confirmed organic claim.

It is not a nutrition or safety rating.

Start with what matters to you

What do you want to avoid?

Choose additive groups to check. Your choices are saved on this browser and update your ingredient results.

Your ingredient check

Contains Avoided Additives

2 of your 4 avoided groups are listed on this label. The clean score counts all 9 groups we check; this label lists 5.

Additive Check Details

Seed OilsContains
Found on label as:partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor
Artificial DyesContains
Found on label as:artificial colors; blue 1 lake
MSGNot Found
Artificial SweetenersNot Found

This checks your selected additives in the available ingredient text. It is not a nutrition or safety rating.

Ingredients

Little Debbie Starfish Shortbread Cookies

Label checked2026-10-20 · US

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Copied word for word from the labelUSDA FoodData Central

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Higher-scoring picks on this shelf

Photo pendingBack to NatureOrganic Shortbread Cookies100/ 100Emmy's OrganicsOrganic Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies100/ 100

Label data source

Ingredients and nutrition come from USDA FoodData Central, Branded Foods (FDC ID 2091286, data date 2021-10-28, release 2026-04-30). These are brand-submitted label records in the public domain (CC0); retrieved 2026-10-20. Check the package for the current label.

NutrientPer 100 gPer serving (22 g, 1 COOKIE)
Calories500 kcal110 kcal
Total fat27.3 g6 g
Saturated fat13.6 g3 g
Sodium318 mg70 mg
Total carbohydrate63.6 g14 g
Dietary fiber0 g0 g
Total sugars36.4 g8 g
Added sugarsUnknownUnknown
Sugar alcoholsUnknownUnknown
Protein4.6 g1 g
Net carbs (carbs − fiber)63.6 g14 g

Our research notes

What to know before you choose these cookies

The recorded ingredient label lists 15 ingredients, led by enriched bleached flour, sugar and partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor. Worth noting: it lists added sweeteners (sugar and pearlescent sugar crystals), natural flavors, seed oils, artificial dyes, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils and banned-abroad additives. For these cookies, the comparison that matters most is flour and fat: read the exact flour base and named fat in the cookie.

  • Worth checkingLists seed oils (partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor).
  • Worth checkingLists artificial dyes (artificial colors and blue 1 lake).
  • Worth checkingLists artificial preservatives (partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor).
  • Worth checkingLists hydrogenated oils (partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor).
  • Worth checkingLists banned-abroad additives (titanium dioxide).
  • Worth checkingLists added sweeteners: sugar and pearlescent sugar crystals (first appears at position 2 of 15).
  • Worth checkingLists natural flavors; the specific flavoring ingredients are not disclosed.
  • Good to knowContains thickeners or stabilizers: gum arabic.
  • Good to knowOils named on the label: soybean oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil and palm kernel oil.
  • Good to knowIngredient and allergen statements mention milk, egg, wheat and soy. Always confirm the full allergen statement on the package.

You may prefer another option if…

  • You avoid seed oils: the recorded label lists partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor.
  • You avoid artificial dyes: the recorded label lists artificial colors and blue 1 lake.
  • You avoid artificial preservatives: the recorded label lists partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor.
  • You avoid hydrogenated oils: the recorded label lists partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oil with tbhq to preserve flavor.

Compare this against other cookies

  • Flour and fat. Read the exact flour base and named fat in the cookie.
  • Serving weight. Compare sugars and other nutrition for similar amounts.
  • Fillings and coatings. Check chocolate chips, fillings and other inclusions as well as the dough.

Keep reading

References

  1. Little Debbie Starfish Shortbread Cookies: brand-submitted label record (FDC ID 2091286) USDA FoodData Central
  2. Added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  3. Food allergies and allergen labeling U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  4. Gluten-free labeling of foods U.S. Food and Drug Administration

These notes summarize the linked ingredient record and public references. Records may come from manufacturer pages or USDA FoodData Central brand-submitted labels. They are not medical advice or a nutrition, allergy or safety rating, and the maker’s claims are not independently verified here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Little Debbie Starfish Shortbread Cookies contain seed oils?

The recorded ingredient statement lists seed oils. Review the full statement for the exact ingredients.

Does Little Debbie Starfish Shortbread Cookies contain artificial dyes or MSG?

The recorded ingredient statement lists artificial dyes or MSG. Review the full statement for the exact ingredients.

What is the verification standard for this product?

The complete ingredient statement was recorded from the linked product-specific source on 2026-10-20. Evidence expires after 90 days and requires a new source review; viewing this page does not renew it.

What are the ingredients in Little Debbie Starfish Shortbread Cookies?

The recorded ingredient statement reads: ENRICHED BLEACHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE [VITAMIN B1], RIBOFLAVIN [VITAMIN B2], FOLIC ACID), SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN AND COTTONSEED OIL WITH TBHQ TO PRESERVE FLAVOR, PALM AND PALM KERNEL OIL, WATER, PEARLESCENT SUGAR CRYSTALS (SUGAR, CONFECTIONER'S GLAZE, GUM ARABIC, CARNAUBA WAX, SOY LECITHIN, ARTIFICIAL COLORS [INCLUDING BLUE 1 LAKE, YELLOW 5 LAKE, YELLOW 6 LAKE, BLUE 2 LAKE, RED 40 LAKE]), CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: SOY FLOUR, EGG WHITES, CORN STARCH, SALT, BAKING SODA, COLORS (BLUE 1 LAKE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE), EMULSIFIERS (MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES, SOY LECITHIN), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, WHEY (MILK).

Is Little Debbie Starfish Shortbread Cookies healthy?

Its recorded label lists seed oils, artificial dyes, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils and banned-abroad additives (5 of the 9 additive groups we check). Its clean score is 31 out of 100. That is a label check, not a nutrition rating: sugar, sodium, calories and portion size are separate questions.

Same shelf. Different labels.

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See the full table: Cookies ranked by clean score

Cookies options · US labels. Sorted by clean score, the same label-based score as the shelf ranking table; each card names the additive groups its label lists out of the 9 we check. Neither is a nutrition or quality rating. Different formats and flavors can have different recipes.

YOUR CURRENT PRODUCTLittle Debbie · Starfish Shortbread CookiesClean score 31 / 100Lists seed oils, artificial dyes, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, banned-abroad additives2 of your 4 avoided groups listedEdit avoid list →

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See the full table: Cookies ranked by clean score

Prices are dated observations for the stated package, exclude tax and shipping, and expire after 30 days. Ingredient evidence expires after 90 days. Unknown evidence is never ranked as fewer matches.

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