Breyers

Rated at 2/5 green leaves, Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream falls short of the clean eating standards set forth by our website. This product is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients, which are significant considerations for consumers seeking purer food options. The presence of added sugars, specifically listed as one of the top ingredients, further detracts from its clean food status.

Moreover, the inclusion of potentially harmful additives raises concerns. The chocolate flavored chips contain soy lecithin, an emulsifier that, while common in processed foods, is not aligned with the clean food criteria. Additionally, the term “flavor” listed in the ingredients often refers to a mix of additives which are not specified, thus obscuring full transparency about what consumers are ingesting.

The product’s reliance on conventional agriculture practices, as evidenced by its non-organic dairy components, is another factor that contributes to its lower rating. Organic dairy is preferred by health-conscious consumers for its lack of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and genetically modified feed. The absence of such practices in this ice cream’s dairy ingredients is a missed opportunity for improving its healthfulness and environmental impact.

The product also contains tara gum, a natural thickener. While not inherently harmful, its inclusion is worth noting for those who are meticulous about every ingredient in their diet. The peppermint extract, presumably a natural flavor, is one of the few ingredients that aligns with cleaner eating principles, yet it is not enough to elevate the overall score of the product.

The Breyers Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream, therefore, has ample room for improvement. To align with cleaner food principles, the product would benefit from a shift to organic ingredients, the elimination of GMOs, and the removal of added sugars and ambiguous additives. Only then could it achieve a higher green leaf rating and be considered a healthier choice for consumers.