Trader Joes

The Trader Joe’s Cinna-Dragons Gummy Candy receives a 2/5 green leaves rating on our clean food scale. This product is an example of a snack with room for improvement in terms of health and cleanliness. Despite being organic, it falls short in several areas.

Firstly, the gummy candy is not made with non-GMO ingredients, which is a standard for cleaner food options. The presence of added sugars is another concern; cane sugar and tapioca syrup contribute to the sugar content. More troubling is the inclusion of dextrose, which is an additional source of added sugar and carries a heavier penalty in our rating system due to its potential impact on health.

The product also contains natural flavors and confectioner’s glaze—ingredients that are often scrutinized for their vague definitions and potential health implications. Natural flavors, while derived from natural sources, are not always transparent in their composition, and confectioner’s glaze often contains compounds like carnauba wax, which some consumers may prefer to avoid.

The use of vegetable juice for color is a positive aspect, as it suggests a move away from artificial colorants. However, this single positive does not outweigh the overall composition of the product, which primarily consists of sugars and additives.

For a product to score higher on our green leaves rating, the absence of GMOs and a reduction in added sugars would be essential. Additionally, replacing ambiguous ingredients like natural flavors with more straightforward, whole food components would greatly improve the product’s standing.

The Trader Joe’s Cinna-Dragons Gummy Candy has a low rating due to its use of added sugars, GMO ingredients, and potentially harmful additives. Consumers seeking cleaner food options might consider other products that better meet the criteria for health and transparency.