Chi Chi’s Salsa

Awarded a 2/5 green leaves rating, the Chi Chi’s Salsa Restaurant Style Salsa Medium falls short in meeting the criteria for a clean food option according to our standards. This product is not organic, and it lacks non-GMO certification, which are significant factors in its evaluation. The inclusion of citric acid as an added sugar and sodium benzoate, a known harmful additive, further detracts from its score. These ingredients raise concerns regarding the overall healthiness and purity of the salsa.

Chi Chi’s Salsa Restaurant Style Salsa Medium is composed of a mix of tomatoes, green chiles, water, onions, tomato paste, and jalapeno peppers. The peppers come with added salt and vinegar. While these base ingredients may seem straightforward, the presence of citric acid and sodium benzoate compromises the product’s integrity. Citric acid, often used for flavor enhancement and preservation, is counted as an added sugar in this assessment. Sodium benzoate, a widely used preservative, poses health risks that cannot be overlooked.

The product is penalized for not being organic. Organic foods are preferred for their lack of exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. The absence of a non-GMO label implies the potential use of genetically modified ingredients, which many consumers aim to avoid due to health and environmental concerns.

This salsa could benefit from a reformulation that focuses on organic and non-GMO ingredients, the elimination of added sugars, and the avoidance of harmful preservatives like sodium benzoate. Such improvements would align with the growing consumer demand for cleaner and more transparent food products.

The Chi Chi’s Salsa Restaurant Style Salsa Medium, therefore, represents a choice that does not align with the health-conscious objectives set forth by our rating system. Consumers seeking cleaner salsa options might consider alternatives that boast organic ingredients, are non-GMO verified, and do not include unnecessary additives or preservatives.