Airheads

Green Leaf Rating: 1/5

The Airheads Orange product earns the lowest possible green leaf rating on our scale, reflecting a strong recommendation to avoid it. This product fails to meet the criteria for cleaner food options due to its composition and manufacturing choices. It is not organic, nor does it use non-GMO ingredients, which are foundational elements for healthier food standards.

The presence of added sugars, including sugar and citric acid, contributes negatively to the product’s nutritional profile. More concerning, however, are the additional harmful sweeteners like dextrose and corn syrup which are prevalent in this snack. These ingredients are notorious for their adverse health effects when consumed in excess.

Furthermore, the product contains a range of potentially harmful additives. Artificial flavors and colorants such as Yellow 6, Red 40, and Blue 1 are artificial chemicals that have no nutritional value and have been linked to various health concerns. Modified food starch is another additive used in this product that is typically included to alter texture but raises questions regarding its health impacts.

The inclusion of known harmful additives intensifies the product’s negative score. These consist of artificial flavor, maltodextrin, and additional artificial colorants like Yellow 5 and Blue 1. Each of these has been associated with potential health risks and contributes to the overall poor assessment of the product.

Palm oil, listed among the ingredients, is another point of concern. While not directly harmful to health, it is often produced in ways that raise significant environmental and ethical issues, such as deforestation and habitat destruction.

Lastly, the product is penalized heavily for containing high fructose corn syrup under the guise of artificial flavor. High fructose corn syrup is linked to obesity and other metabolic disorders, making its inclusion a major detriment to the product’s healthfulness.

Considering these factors, Airheads Orange is positioned as a product to steer clear of for those seeking cleaner, healthier food options. Its composition of non-organic, GMO, and artificial ingredients, along with harmful sugars and additives, secures its low rating and emphasizes the need for more wholesome choices in the food market.