Menu
Cheez It
Flavor:
Pepper Jack
Ingredients:
Enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [Riboflavin], folic acid), vegetable oil (high oleic soybean, soybean, palm, and/or canola with TBHQ for freshness), white cheddar cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes). Contains 2% or less of salt, monterey jack cheese (milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes), green bell pepper, red bell pepper, natural jalapeno flavor, spice, monosodium glutamate, Baking Soda, yeast, turmeric extract color, annatto extract color, soy lecithin.
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Cheez It Pepper Jack snack falls short in our assessment for cleaner food options. This product is not organic and does not use non-GMO ingredients. The inclusion of potentially harmful additives, such as artificial flavors and soy lecithin, detracts from its overall score. The presence of known harmful additives, specifically TBHQ and monosodium glutamate, further reduces its standing. Additionally, the use of oils like canola and palm, which we consider harmful, negatively impacts the product’s rating.
The ingredient list for Cheez It Pepper Jack begins with enriched flour, a refined grain that lacks the nutritional value of whole grains. The oils used in this product—high oleic soybean, soybean, palm, and canola—are processed and contain TBHQ, an additive used to extend shelf life but which raises health concerns. The cheeses, white cheddar and Monterey Jack, contribute to the product’s flavor profile but do not mitigate the concerns regarding the other ingredients.
Moreover, the product contains additives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), which has been linked to various health issues, although it is widely used in the food industry for enhancing flavor. The use of artificial colors, such as turmeric and annatto extracts, is unnecessary from a health perspective and is a point of consideration for those seeking natural food options.
Cheez It Pepper Jack’s low green leaf rating reflects its composition of ingredients that do not align with the principles of cleaner, healthier food choices. The product’s reliance on non-organic, GMO ingredients, and the inclusion of potentially and known harmful additives, as well as the use of oils we consider detrimental, make it a snack that does not meet our standards for a clean-eating diet. Consumers seeking healthier alternatives would be advised to look for products with higher green leaf ratings that prioritize organic, non-GMO ingredients, and avoid controversial additives and oils.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
No Items found.
How We Rate
Every company today has a responsibility to be a net positive for the planet,
for society, and for our ecosystem