Florida’s Natural

Rated at 3 out of 5 green leaves, Florida’s Natural Lemonade with Raspberry & Peach is an average choice for those seeking cleaner food options. This rating reflects its standing in the middle ground between health-conscious and traditional offerings.

The product consists of a blend of water, sugar, lemon juice, concentrated lemon juice, peach puree, natural flavors, concentrated raspberry juice, and fruit & vegetable juice for color. It is not organic, and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is not explicitly ruled out, which detracts from its clean food status.

One of the main concerns is the inclusion of added sugar. This ingredient, which is prevalent in many processed foods, contributes to the overall caloric content without offering nutritional benefits. The presence of natural flavors also raises questions. Although ‘natural flavors’ is a term that sounds innocuous, it encompasses a wide range of additives, and the lack of specificity as to what these flavors are is a point of consideration for those aiming for a transparent ingredient list.

The product does not contain synthetic colors, instead relying on fruit and vegetable juice to achieve its hue, which is a positive aspect. However, the lack of an organic certification means that the ingredients may have been subject to pesticides and other chemicals that many health-conscious consumers aim to avoid.

Florida’s Natural Lemonade with Raspberry & Peach holds a middle position as a refreshment choice. It avoids some of the more controversial additives like artificial colors, yet it includes added sugars and ambiguous natural flavors. The absence of an organic label and non-GMO certification further prevents it from being at the forefront of cleaner food products. It stands as a compromise between the desire for more natural ingredients and the convenience of conventional food processing.