Hillshire Farm

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Hillshire Farm Thin Sliced Brown Sugar Ham Lunch Meat falls short of cleaner food standards. This product is not organic, contains GMO ingredients, added sugars, and potentially harmful additives, which significantly detracts from its cleanliness score.

The ham begins with a non-organic status, immediately reducing its potential for a higher rating. The presence of GMO ingredients further impacts the product’s standing, as many consumers seeking cleaner foods prefer non-GMO options. Brown sugar, listed as an added sugar, contributes to the product’s lower score. While sugars are common in many processed foods, their inclusion is often unnecessary and is a point of concern for those monitoring their sugar intake for health reasons.

Moreover, the product contains additives like natural flavorings and celery juice powder, which are often scrutinized by those seeking pure and unprocessed foods. Though these ingredients are used to preserve quality and enhance taste, they are not aligned with the principles of clean eating. The inclusion of citric acid, another additive, also affects the product’s score, despite its common use as a preservative in the food industry.

The use of sea salt and vinegar, which may be viewed as more natural ingredients, does not offset the overall assessment of the product’s composition. The product’s ingredient list reveals a reliance on components that do not meet the stringent criteria for a clean and healthy food option.

Therefore, the Hillshire Farm Thin Sliced Brown Sugar Ham Lunch Meat, with its current ingredient profile, does not align with the ethos of providing cleaner, healthier food choices. Its 2 out of 5 green leaves rating reflects its position in a market where many consumers are actively seeking out products with organic ingredients, no GMOs, minimal added sugars, and an absence of unnecessary additives.