Bob’s Red Mill

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Brown Sugar Maple product falls short of the cleaner food options our website advocates for. This gluten-free whole grain oats-based item is not organic, a factor that significantly impacts its rating. In addition, the presence of added sugars, including brown sugar and cane sugar, detracts from its healthfulness.

The product also contains cane sugar, which is penalized more severely due to its classification as a more harmful added sugar. Concerns extend to the inclusion of potentially harmful additives like natural flavors and modified food starch, as well as caramel color, which stands out as a known harmful additive. The natural maple flavor, while enticing to consumers, contributes to the deductions due to its components—maltodextrin and modified food starch—both of which are viewed unfavorably in our clean food criteria.

Moreover, while the product does use non-GMO ingredients—a positive aspect—it is overshadowed by the numerous ingredients that compromise its overall nutritional quality. The presence of chia seed and flaxseed, often recognized for their health benefits, is not enough to offset the negative impact of the other ingredients.

The product’s composition reflects a prioritization of taste and shelf stability over health and transparency, leading to the low score of 1/5 green leaves. Consumers seeking cleaner food options are advised to avoid this product, as it embodies several attributes that conflict with a diet focused on health and wellness. The score reflects a rigorous assessment against strict standards for food purity, ingredient quality, and environmental sustainability.

For those committed to cleaner eating, this product does not meet the criteria that would allow it to be recommended on our platform. Health-conscious individuals are encouraged to seek alternatives that boast organic ingredients, lack added sugars and harmful additives, and align more closely with the values of whole, unprocessed foods.