Gardein
Flavor:
Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n
Ingredients:
Water, Sugar, Enriched Wheat Flour (Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Soy Protein Isolate, Canola Oil, Vital Wheat Gluten, Distilled Vinegar, 2% Or Less Of: Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Rice Flour, Modified Potato Starch, Fruit Puree (Water, Mandarin Orange Juice Concentrate, Tangerine Juice Concentrate, Salt), Methylcellulose, Sunflower Oil, Corn Starch, Garlic Powder, Ancient Grain Flour (Khorasan Wheat), Salted Sake (Water, Rice, Salt), Potato Starch, Natural Flavors, Spices, Yeast extract, Titanium Dioxide (Color), Oil Of Orange, Leavening (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate, Crushed Red Pepper, Lactic Acid
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
The Gardein Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n earns a 1/5 green leaves rating on our scale for healthier food options. This product is a meatless alternative designed to offer a plant-based version of a popular dish, but it falls short in our evaluation of cleaner food choices.
The item is not organic, which detracts from its potential score. Although the product uses non-GMO ingredients, it contains added sugars, which is a concern for those seeking to reduce sugar intake. The presence of potentially harmful additives, such as natural flavors and enriched wheat flour, raises questions about the necessity of these ingredients in a product marketed as a healthier choice. Canola oil, listed as a harmful oil, further impacts the score negatively.
More concerning is the inclusion of titanium dioxide, a known harmful additive that has been linked to various health concerns. Its use as a colorant here is unnecessary and detracts from the product’s healthfulness. Despite being a meat alternative, the product’s health benefits are overshadowed by these ingredients that do not align with our standards for cleaner eating.
The Gardein Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n serves as an example of a product that, while plant-based, does not automatically equate to a healthier option. Consumers seeking cleaner, more wholesome food products may want to consider alternatives that prioritize organic ingredients, avoid added sugars and harmful additives, and use healthier oils. Our rating reflects the importance of scrutinizing ingredients beyond the plant-based label to ensure that the food choices we make are truly beneficial for our health.
Certifications:
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Alternatives
No Items found.
- Frozen Ready To Roast Vegetables – Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Multicolor Carrots, Broccoli Florets & Chickpeas
- Root Vegetable Hashbrowns With Yukon Gold Potatoes, Carrots & Sweet Potatoes
How We Rate
Every company today has a responsibility to be a net positive for the planet,
for society, and for our ecosystem