Hood

The Hood Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich earns a 1/5 green leaf rating, signaling a product that sits at the bottom of our health-conscious scale. This rating reflects the presence of multiple ingredients that raise concerns regarding overall healthfulness.

The ice cream sandwich is not organic, and it uses genetically modified ingredients. These factors immediately reduce its standing on our scale. Additionally, the product has a considerable amount of added sugars, including sugar, citric acid, and fructose, further detracting from its score. More worrying is the inclusion of high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener linked to various health issues, which is present in both the ice cream and wafer components.

The product also contains several potentially harmful additives. Natural flavors and soy lecithin fall into this category, though they are commonly found in processed foods. Of greater concern is carrageenan, an additive that has been the subject of health debates due to its potential inflammatory properties.

Furthermore, the product includes palm oil, an ingredient whose production is often associated with environmental issues and which may have health implications as well. The presence of palm oil negatively impacts the product’s rating.

The ingredient list concludes with a variety of emulsifiers and stabilizers such as mono and diglycerides, guar gum, locust bean gum, and polysorbate 80. While these are not uncommon in commercial ice cream products, they contribute to the item’s low score due to potential health concerns.

The combination of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, multiple forms of added sugars, harmful additives, and palm oil solidifies the Hood Strawberry Ice Cream Sandwich’s position at the lower end of our health scale. We advise consumers to consider alternatives that prioritize cleaner ingredients and offer greater health benefits.