This product is not certified organic [read more]
Products bearing the USDA certified organic seal must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredient, and must be produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and free of genetically engineered ingredients.
Contains food additives of lower concern
Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Palm Oil [read more]
Both refined oils and fully hydrogenated oils contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats and contribute to the total intake of trans fat in the diet (Biofortis 2014). Artificial trans fats are generated in refined oils when they are processed at high temperatures from the crude oil into a bland, odorless, colorless oil (Greyt 1999). A 2012 study conducted by FDA scientists estimated that refined oil contributes an average 0.6 grams of trans fat a day (Doell 2012). The World Health Organization recommends limits on trans fat of less than 1 to 2 grams a day—in this context, it’s easy to see that 0.6 grams is not an insignificant contribution. In the case of fully hydrogenated oils, they should theoretically be free of trans fat, but since no hydrogenation process is 100 percent efficient, trans fats are often found in fully hydrogenated oils at low levels (FDA 2013). The United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrition Database has tested refined, partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated oils and found trans fats in all of them (USDA 2013).Textbooks for food scientists reveal that the mono and di-glycerides and other emulsifiers are often made from hydrogenated fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008) and at temperatures above 220°C (Sikorski and Kolakowka 2011). Emulsifiers produced from hydrogenated fats “contain measurable concentrations" of trans fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008).Unfortunately, due to lack of label disclosure and the trans fat labeling loophole, only the food scientists will ever know just how much trans fat these refined oils and emulsifiers are contributing to foods and the American diet.
EWG calculates that this product is 37% sugar by weight and contains 3 teaspoons of added and natural sugar per serving [read more]
Eating too much of any type of sugar can lead to tooth decay. Added sugars like high fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar and dextrose are more concerning than natural sugars like raisins because they can lead to obesity by adding calories without being accompanied by important nutrients like potassium, vitamin C or fiber. Americans average 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day (NCI 2010; USDA and DHHS 2010). The World Health Organization recommends no more than 6 to 12 teaspoons of added sugar a day for adults, children should eat even less (WHO 2002; WHO 2014).
Contains a high level of saturated fat [read more]
Saturated fat is not an essential nutrient and with increasing intakes there is a increased risk of coronary heart disease (IOM 2005a; USDA and DHHS 2010). For this reason it has long been known as a "bad" fat that raises the "bad" cholesterol, LDL. Numerous authoritative bodies support the recommendation to limit saturated fat to 10 percent of calories -- equivalent to a reasonable limit of 14 slices of bacon's worth of saturated fat a day (WHO 2002; USDA and DHHS 2010).A 2012 review by the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent non-profit organization, found that reducing or replacing saturated fat with other healthy fats reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 14 percent (Hooper 2012). Other recent reviews have found that there in no evidence of a benefit from reducing saturated fat (Chowdhury 2014; Schwingshackl & Hoffmann 2014). While it's clear that we still have a lot to learn about how fats behave and contribute to disease, the evidence supporting a moderate level of saturated fat consumption remains strong and consistent.
Product has been classified as having moderate processing concerns
Includes ingredient(s) derived from animals that were possibly treated with antibiotics and/or growth promoters: Milk [read more]
This food contains ingredient(s) from animals that were possibly treated with antibiotics and artificial growth promoters.
EWG's Good Food On A Tight Budget
EWG's 2014 Shopper's Guide to Avoiding GE Food
Why GE Foods are not "Natural"
EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticide in Produce
Children's Cereal: Sugar by the Pound
From the Package
INGREDIENTS: UNBLEACHED ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, SEMISWEET CHOCOLATE CHUNKS (SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, DEXTROSE, COCOA BUTTER, MILK, SOY LECITHIN), PALM OIL, SUGAR, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), CORNSTARCH, DEXTROSE, BAKING SODA, SALT, VANILLIN - AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR.
Products remain in the Database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores, even when they have been discontinued (products may remain in stores and pantries long past the date they cease to be manufactured). EWG marks a product it is aware has been discontinued with a banner identifying it as such.
Please note that EWG obtains the displayed images of products from third parties and that the product's manufacturer or packager may change the product's packaging at any point in time. Therefore, EWG assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of images presented.
FAQs
Nutrition labels are extremely important in determining whether a food is healthy or not. These labels show all of the different nutrients, including fats, protein, and carbohydrates that are in one single serving of an item.
What is EWG food score? ›
EWG's Food Scores is an easy-to-use food database that helps you make healthier, more informed choices about what you eat and drink based on scientific data and research.
What is ultraprocessed food rating? ›
The Siga Index also defines ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as those with a score below 40, which are considered to have low nutritional value and high levels of additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.
How to determine if a meal is healthy? ›
Next time you're sitting down to a meal or snack, try asking yourself these questions:
- Will the food I'm eating provide me with enough fuel to get me to my next meal or snack? ...
- Is the food I'm eating going to provide me with the nutrients my body needs? ...
- Am I physically hungry right now? ...
- Is this a healthy eating behavior?
% Daily Value (DV) can help you. figure out if a food is HIGH or. LOW in a nutrient, Use the 5-20 Rule. If the % DV is 5 or less then it is low in that nutrient, If the% DV is 20% or more then it is high in that nutrient.
Can you eat unhealthy and still be healthy? ›
You can eat healthy and still not be a "well" being. Conversely you can eat unhealthy and be full of life force and incredible performance. So the secret to a successful, long, rich life is to live a HOLISTIC one is where you not only eat healthy but also live healthy.
How accurate is EWG? ›
Because the EWG is so tentative to deem ingredients or products safe, we consider them a good resource for consumers concerned about the environment and their own health. On the other hand, products or ingredients with worse safety ratings on their websites might not be quite as dangerous as they appear.
Do companies pay for EWG ratings? ›
To fund EWG Verified and EWG Reviewed for Science, companies pay a fee to participate. Q: What is the cost of EWG Reviewed for Science? A: The cost depends on the size of the company, the number of products being assessed and the timeline. Our consultancy engagements range from one month to a year in duration.
Is EWG healthy Living legit? ›
The EWG's Healthy Living app was developed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving chemical safety in the US, to provide you with answers. EWG pushes industries to adopt their standards and to say no to harmful chemicals.
Is peanut butter an ultra-processed food? ›
Chips, peanut butter, bread — these are just a few of the foods in your kitchen that could be ultra-processed, and they make up over half of the average American's diet. But because of the way they are manufactured, studies have shown that people who eat more ultra-processed food tend to consume more calories.
Cereal: plain oats, corn flakes and shredded wheat are minimally processed, but when the manufacturer adds sugar, flavourings or colourings, they become ultra-processed cereals. Try sticking to cereals such as porridge, corn flakes, bran flakes, weetabix etc rather than the more processed versions.
What is the most ultra-processed food? ›
Less nutritious ultra-processed foods can include pre-prepared meals, sausages and nuggets, as well as sweets, biscuits, pastries, buns, cakes and pre-prepared chips. Plant-based meat and cheese substitutes are also ultra-processed, and so might not be as healthy as they are marketed to be.
How to tell if food is unhealthy? ›
Read food labels and avoid items that are high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. Plan ahead and prepare healthy snacks and meals at home made from whole, fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. Choose lean meats fish and seafood and plant-based proteins.
What are the top 10 healthy foods? ›
Here are the top 15 foods you should be eating according to our experts:
- Fish. ...
- Broccoli or any of the cruciferous vegetables. ...
- Beets. ...
- Spinach and other leafy green vegetables. ...
- Kale. ...
- Peanut butter. ...
- Almonds. ...
- Mangos.
Eating a balanced diet
- eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day (see 5 A Day)
- base meals on higher fibre starchy foods like potatoes, bread, rice or pasta.
- have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soya drinks)
- eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other protein.
Read food labels and avoid items that are high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. Plan ahead and prepare healthy snacks and meals at home made from whole, fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. Choose lean meats fish and seafood and plant-based proteins. Don't skip meals.
How do we know food is healthy? ›
Healthy food is food that gives you all the nutrients you need to stay healthy, feel well and have plenty of energy. The best way to ensure you're eating healthily is to eat a wide variety of different kinds of food.
What classifies a food as unhealthy? ›
Key facts. 'Junk food' is food that contains high levels of fats, salt or sugar, and lacks nutrients such as fibre, vitamins and minerals.
How can you tell the difference between healthy food and junk food? ›
Healthy food is nutrient-rich, providing our bodies with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and energy. In contrast, junk food is typically high in calories, fats, sugars, and salts, with little to no nutritional value.
This product is not certified organic [read more]