Trader Joes

Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the Trader Joe’s Handmade Candy Cane with Cocoa Center falls short of the standards for cleaner food options. This product is not organic and includes genetically modified ingredients, factors that heavily impact its score on our scale. The presence of added sugars, specifically cane sugar and tapioca syrup, further detracts from its rating, as these are considered harmful when consumed in excess.

Further examination of the ingredients list reveals the inclusion of glycerin, a potentially harmful additive. The product also contains palm oil, a type of oil that raises health and environmental concerns due to the way it is often produced. These ingredients contribute to the low score, as they do not align with the criteria for a cleaner, healthier food option.

The use of coconut oil and high-fat cocoa powder, while not the primary cause for the low rating, does not compensate for the product’s other shortcomings. The addition of peppermint oil, vegetable juice for color, and salt does little to enhance the product’s standing on our scale.

The Trader Joe’s Handmade Candy Cane with Cocoa Center earns the lowest possible score on our scale due to its non-organic status, GMO content, added sugars, harmful additives, and the use of palm oil. For those seeking cleaner food alternatives, this product does not meet the criteria and is best avoided. Our rating system aims to guide consumers towards healthier choices, and this candy cane, with its current composition, does not fit within that realm.