Final answer:
Artificial Coloring and High Fructose Corn Syrup are common traits in almost all shaved ice syrups on the market, with HFCS being particularly ubiquitous due to its sweetness and cost-effectiveness despite concerns over its health implications. The use of synthetic ingredients is widespread in the creation of these syrups.
Step-by-step explanation:
A common trait of almost all shaved ice syrups on the market is their inclusion of Artificial Coloring and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). HFCS is a sweetener made from corn that is used extensively in processed foods and beverages, including shaved ice syrups, because of its sweetness and cost-effectiveness. Despite its prevalence, HFCS has faced criticism for its potential link to obesity rates, causing some manufacturers to switch to using natural sugars. Additionally, there has been controversy regarding its naming, with attempts to rebrand it as 'corn sugar' being rejected by the FDA. Flavor chemists use both natural and synthetic compounds to replicate the tastes and odors of certain fruits in these syrups, often using a variety of sweeteners such as sucrose, glucose, aspartame, and others in their formulations.
While fruit extracts may be used in some shaved ice syrups, artificial coloring is almost universally added to give the syrups their vibrant and appealing colors. Citric acid can also be a common ingredient, primarily used as a preservative and to add tartness to the syrup's flavor profile. Ultimately, the wide use of artificial ingredients, especially HFCS and artificial colors, signifies the industrial approach taken to create these dessert toppings.