Kool Aid

Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the Kool Aid Lemon-Lime Drink Mix Unsweetened represents a product that our evaluations deem advisable to avoid. This score reflects a critical assessment based on the product’s composition and adherence to our standards for cleaner food options.

The mix is not organic, a factor that reduces its standing in our evaluation system. Furthermore, the absence of non-GMO ingredients also detracts from its overall score. The inclusion of citric acid raises concerns due to its categorization as an added sugar, prompting a deduction in its rating. More significantly, the presence of potentially harmful additives, specifically natural and artificial flavors, compromises the product’s score.

Detrimental to the product’s rating is the use of known harmful additives such as artificial flavor, BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), and synthetic dyes Yellow 5 and Blue 1. These ingredients have been flagged for their potential negative health impacts, leading to a substantial score reduction. Moreover, the association of artificial flavor with high fructose corn syrup, although not explicitly listed in the ingredients, further diminishes the product’s standing due to the adverse health implications of high fructose corn syrup consumption.

The product does not meet the criteria set for cleaner, healthier food options. With the presence of various additives and the absence of organic and non-GMO ingredients, it falls short of the standards that would warrant a higher green leaf rating. Consumers seeking healthier alternatives are advised to consider other options that align more closely with the values of natural and minimally processed food products. The Kool Aid Lemon-Lime Drink Mix Unsweetened, with its current formulation, fails to meet the criteria for a recommendation on our platform.