365 By Wholefoods

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the 365 by Whole Foods Plain Soymilk presents itself as a less desirable choice for consumers seeking clean and healthy food options. The product boasts organic soymilk as its base, which includes filtered water and organic soybeans, suggesting a positive start. However, the addition of organic cane sugar raises concerns due to its role as an added sugar, which detracts from the product’s overall healthfulness.

Despite using non-GMO ingredients, which aligns with cleaner food standards, the soymilk falls short in other areas. The presence of cane sugar not only contributes to the added sugars but also is considered a more harmful type of added sugar, further diminishing the health quality of the beverage. The inclusion of natural flavors, both organic and unspecified, along with gellan gum and organic locust bean gum, raises red flags as these are viewed as potentially harmful additives. Moreover, the product is penalized for containing vitamin A palmitate, which is derived from palm sources, implicating the product in the use of harmful oils.

While the soymilk is fortified with vitamins and minerals such as calcium carbonate, vitamin A palmitate, ergocalciferol (vitamin D2), riboflavin (vitamin B2), and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12), which are beneficial nutrients, these positives are overshadowed by the aforementioned drawbacks. The product does not meet the high standards set for clean eating due to its use of added sugars and potentially harmful additives.

For consumers prioritizing clean and healthful ingredients, the 365 by Whole Foods Plain Soymilk fails to deliver an optimal option. Its low green leaf rating reflects the significant room for improvement, particularly in the elimination of added sugars and questionable additives. The product stands as a reminder that even items from health-oriented brands require scrutiny to ensure they align with the values of a clean diet.