Dave’s Gourmet

Awarding Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce a rating of 3 out of 5 green leaves, this product lands squarely in the middle of the spectrum when it comes to cleaner food options. Notably, the sauce is not certified organic, which detracts from its overall score on our scale. Additionally, the lack of non-GMO ingredients further impacts its standing.

The ingredient list is relatively short, which often is a positive sign in the food industry. The sauce comprises red pepper pulp, water, roasted garlic, salt, acetic acid, xanthan gum, and ascorbic acid. While most of these ingredients are straightforward and commonly found in hot sauces, the inclusion of xanthan gum raises some concerns. Recognized as a thickening agent, xanthan gum is the reason for the significant point deduction, as it falls under our criteria for potentially harmful additives.

Despite these drawbacks, the sauce maintains a middle-of-the-road profile. It avoids the pitfalls of an overly complex ingredient list and does include ascorbic acid, an antioxidant that contributes to the preservation of the product without the use of artificial preservatives. However, the absence of organic ingredients and presence of xanthan gum prevent the product from achieving a higher rating.

Consumers looking for a moderately clean hot sauce option might consider Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce. It does not represent the pinnacle of health-conscious choices, but neither does it fall into the category of the most concerning products on the market. Its standing reflects a balance between cleaner ingredients and areas where there is room for improvement, particularly in terms of organic certification and the use of non-GMO components.