Kettle

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Kettle Backyard Barbeque chips do not meet the standards for cleaner food options set by our website. This product is not organic, which immediately reduces its rating. While it does use non-GMO ingredients, its healthfulness is compromised by multiple added sugars, including both sugar and organic dried cane syrup, which contribute to its low score.

Furthermore, the chips contain potentially harmful additives, specifically cited as ‘natural flavor,’ which lacks transparency and could encompass a wide range of undisclosed components. The presence of harmful oils is another critical factor, with canola oil being flagged in our evaluation process for its potential health risks, especially when not expeller-pressed or non-GMO.

The product’s ingredient list reveals several areas for improvement. The use of organic ingredients could enhance the quality and healthfulness of the chips. Eliminating added sugars would also be a significant step forward, as these contribute to various health issues and are unnecessary in the pursuit of cleaner eating. The exclusion of vague ‘natural flavors’ would increase ingredient transparency and consumer trust.

In terms of additives, a shift towards whole, unprocessed ingredients would be beneficial. This change would align with a clean eating philosophy that prioritizes food in its most natural state. As for the oils used, options such as extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil could be healthier alternatives to canola oil, provided they are sourced responsibly and processed minimally.

The Kettle Backyard Barbeque chips fall short of the clean food criteria established by our review process. The product contains several ingredients that detract from its overall healthfulness and transparency, which is reflected in its low green leaf rating. There is a significant opportunity for the product to be reformulated to align with the cleaner, more wholesome values that health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking.