Chobani

Rated at 1 out of 5 green leaves, the Chobani Less Sugar Madagascar Vanilla & Cinnamon yogurt falls short of our clean food standards. This product is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients, which are two key factors in our assessment. The presence of added sugars, specifically cane sugar, further detracts from its rating due to our stance against added sugars and their impact on health.

The inclusion of ‘natural flavors’ in the ingredient list is another reason for the low score. The term ‘natural flavors’ is broad and often encompasses a range of substances that may not align with a clean eating philosophy. The additives fruit pectin, guar gum, and locust bean gum are also points of concern. While these ingredients are commonly used as thickeners or stabilizers in dairy products, they are not in line with the purest, most natural food options sought by consumers prioritizing health and ingredient transparency.

The product’s use of lemon juice concentrate and vanilla extract does not compensate for the negative aspects found in the other ingredients. Lemon juice concentrate is often used as a preservative or to add tartness, which could be achieved through cleaner methods. Vanilla extract is a natural flavoring, yet it does not offset the presence of added sugars and other additives in the product.

This yogurt has room for improvement in terms of cleaner, more health-conscious ingredients. For a product to achieve a higher green leaf rating, it would need to meet organic standards, avoid GMOs, and eliminate added sugars and ambiguous additives. The goal is to offer consumers a product that supports their health, aligns with clean eating principles, and maintains ingredient integrity. The Chobani Less Sugar Madagascar Vanilla & Cinnamon yogurt currently does not meet these criteria.