Burger King

Rated at 2/5 green leaves, the Burger King Crispy Onions fall short of meeting the criteria for cleaner food options. The product is not organic, and it does not make use of non-GMO ingredients, which significantly impacts its standing on our scale. Moreover, the inclusion of enriched flour and corn starch raises concerns due to their potential as harmful additives. The presence of canola oil, which may be processed or sourced in a way that does not align with the highest standards for health, further detracts from the product’s score.

The ingredients list begins with onions, a natural and generally healthy item. However, the health benefits are overshadowed by the subsequent ingredients. The enriched flour, though fortified with vitamins like niacin, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid, is processed, and such processing diminishes the nutritional value compared to whole grains. Corn starch, commonly used as a thickener or filler, offers little nutritional benefit and is often a red flag for those seeking whole, unprocessed foods.

The oils used, which may include sunflower, safflower, or canola, are not specified as being sourced from non-GMO or organic seeds. Canola oil, in particular, is often heavily processed and is a frequent target of scrutiny for those advocating for cleaner eating. The use of tapioca dextrin and added salt completes the composition of the product, neither contributing to the ‘clean’ quality sought after by health-conscious consumers.

The Burger King Crispy Onions, with their current ingredient profile, stand as an example of the kind of processed food product that many individuals aim to avoid. While it does provide an option for a fast-food side item, it does not meet the standards of those searching for cleaner, more wholesome food choices. The potential for improvement is substantial, and a reformulation with organic, non-GMO, and less processed ingredients would be necessary for a better rating on our green leaf scale.