Ben’s Original

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, Ben’s Original Ready Rice™ Rice Pilaf has room for improvement in its ingredients list to meet the standards of cleaner food options. The product is not organic and includes genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, factors that significantly impact its green leaf rating. Moreover, the presence of additives such as “natural flavors” and the usage of canola oil, which is often heavily processed and may pose health concerns, further detracts from its score.

Ben’s Original Ready Rice™ Rice Pilaf contains a mix of parboiled long grain rice and enriched orzo pasta, combined with a selection of vegetables and spices. The enrichment of the orzo pasta with vitamins and minerals, such as niacin and iron, is a positive aspect, yet the product falls short due to the inclusion of non-organic and GMO ingredients. The use of modified corn starch and autolyzed yeast extract, along with soy sauce that contains soybeans and wheat, adds to the list of concerns for those seeking cleaner food alternatives.

The product’s reliance on oils like canola, which may be sourced from genetically modified crops and is often highly refined, further diminishes its standing as a clean food choice. Additionally, the term “natural flavors” is broad and does not provide transparency regarding the actual contents, raising questions about the potential for unwanted additives.

The green leaf rating system highlights the need for more wholesome and transparent food options in a market saturated with processed and less healthy alternatives. Ben’s Original Ready Rice™ Rice Pilaf, with a score reflective of its current ingredient choices, underscores the importance of cleaner ingredients for health-conscious consumers. To align better with cleaner eating principles, the product would benefit from a shift towards organic ingredients, the exclusion of GMOs, and the removal of ambiguous additives and highly processed oils.