Chi Chi’s Salsa

The Chi Chi’s Salsa Con Queso earns a rating of 1 out of 5 green leaves, reflecting its position at the lower end of the scale for cleaner food options. This product is not organic and contains genetically modified ingredients, which significantly impacts its score. Additionally, it includes several ingredients that raise concerns, such as potentially harmful additives like natural flavors, diglycerides, xanthan gum, and sodium citrate. Maltodextrin, identified as a known harmful additive, further detracts from the product’s overall healthfulness. The presence of vegetable oil, categorized as a harmful oil, also contributes to the low rating.

The ingredients list begins with water and nonfat milk, followed by Monterey Jack cheese, which brings a dairy component to the product. The cheese is processed with standard industry ingredients like milk, cheese cultures, salt, and enzymes. However, the inclusion of vegetable oil, derived from corn or soybean, is problematic, especially since the source plants are likely genetically modified.

Maltodextrin, a common food additive, is used here presumably as a thickener or filler but is flagged for its negative health implications. Modified corn starch serves a similar function in processed foods, altering texture and consistency. The salsa includes green chilies, red bell peppers, and jalapeno peppers, which contribute to the product’s intended flavor profile, though the overall health impact is diminished by the other ingredients.

The use of thickeners and emulsifiers like sodium alginate, xanthan gum, and sodium phosphate is widespread in processed foods, but their inclusion here affects the product’s clean food rating. Emulsifiers like mono and diglycerides are often synthetically derived and are a cause for concern. Lastly, sorbic acid serves as a preservative to extend the product’s shelf life but is not favored in the context of clean eating.

The Chi Chi’s Salsa Con Queso struggles to meet the standards for those seeking cleaner, healthier food options. With its array of non-organic, GMO, and potentially harmful ingredients, it is clear that this product falls short of expectations for health-conscious consumers.