Boar’s Head

Rating: 2/5 Green Leaves

The Boar’s Head Everything Bagel hummus receives a modest rating of two out of five green leaves on our clean eating scale. This product does not meet the criteria for organic certification, which immediately impacts its standing. While it boasts the inclusion of non-GMO ingredients, the presence of added sugars, specifically organic sugar and citric acid, detracts from its overall healthfulness. Additionally, the use of natural flavors raises concerns due to their ambiguous nature and potential for containing undisclosed compounds. The inclusion of sesame oil is also flagged as a less desirable choice due to its processing methods and the potential for oxidation.

Delving deeper, the product consists of a base of steamed chickpeas, complemented with a blend of sunflower and olive oils, and enriched with sesame tahini. The everything seasoning, a mix of dehydrated garlic and onion, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and sea salt, attempts to capture the essence of an everything bagel. However, the addition of garlic and guar gum rounds out the ingredient list without contributing to a cleaner food profile.

The product does not utilize organic ingredients, which is a missed opportunity for aligning with cleaner, more sustainable agricultural practices. The presence of added sugars, albeit in the form of organic sugar, is a drawback for consumers seeking to minimize their sugar intake. The use of natural flavors and sesame oil suggests a need for reformulation to exclude ambiguous or less healthy oil choices.

The Boar’s Head Everything Bagel hummus could benefit from a reformulation that emphasizes organic ingredients, eliminates added sugars, and replaces potentially harmful additives and oils with cleaner alternatives. Such changes would not only enhance the health profile of the product but also align it more closely with the expectations of consumers seeking out the cleanest food options available.