Chobani

Rated at 1 out of 5 green leaves, the Chobani Less Sugar Monterey Strawberry yogurt does not meet the criteria for a cleaner food option on our website. The product is not organic, which reduces its score, reflecting a preference for foods produced without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Furthermore, the lack of non-GMO certification leads to additional deductions, as our standards favor ingredients that have not been genetically modified.

The inclusion of added sugars, specifically cane sugar, further detracts from the product’s rating. While Chobani markets this yogurt as a lower sugar option, the presence of any added sugars is a significant concern for those seeking the cleanest food choices.

Beyond the sugars, the product contains natural flavors, an ingredient that often encompasses a range of substances, some of which may not align with a clean eating philosophy. The ambiguity of natural flavors raises questions about their origin and processing, leading to a lower score. Other additives, like locust bean gum and guar gum, while generally recognized as safe, are still processed ingredients that do not resonate with the ideal of a minimally processed food product.

The product’s redeeming qualities, such as the use of fruit and vegetable juice concentrate for color, are overshadowed by the factors that led to its low green leaf rating. Yogurt inherently offers nutritional benefits, including probiotics and protein, but when assessing the overall composition, the Chobani Less Sugar Monterey Strawberry falls short of the standards set for cleaner, healthier food options. Cleaner alternatives would avoid these additives, rely on organic ingredients, and eliminate GMOs to achieve a higher green leaf rating on our scale.