Cholula

Cholula Chipotle earns a rating of 2 out of 5 green leaves on our scale, reflecting a product that has room for improvement in terms of offering cleaner food options. The sauce is not organic, and it contains genetically modified ingredients, which are two significant factors that reduce its score. Additionally, the inclusion of added sugars detracts from its healthfulness.

The ingredient list for Cholula Chipotle reveals several areas of concern for those seeking cleaner eating options. The presence of sugar, which is an added sweetener, raises questions about the necessity of this ingredient in a product that could potentially do without it. Citric acid, while common and often used as a preservative or to add tartness, is also counted as an added sugar in our assessment.

Moreover, the sauce includes ingredients such as natural flavors and silicon dioxide, which are often regarded with skepticism by clean eating advocates. Natural flavors are a broad category that can encompass a variety of substances, and their lack of specificity is troubling for those seeking transparency in food labeling. Silicon dioxide, an anti-caking agent, may be considered unnecessary by purists who prefer their food without any added processing aids.

Xanthan gum, a thickening agent, is another addition that could be seen as superfluous. While it is commonly used in various food products, its presence here suggests a departure from the simplicity that characterizes the cleanest food options.

The product’s reliance on non-organic peppers and other ingredients further diminishes its standing. Organic agriculture is often associated with practices that are better for the environment and consumer health, and the absence of such standards in this product’s ingredients is a notable drawback.

The Cholula Chipotle sauce, therefore, has significant potential for improvement. By replacing or removing certain ingredients, it could rise in our green leaf rating system, presenting consumers with a cleaner and more health-conscious choice in the condiment aisle.