Love Grown

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Love Grown Cocoa Goodness Oat Clusters fall short in the clean food category on our website. This product is not organic, which directly impacts its score. While it does use non-GMO ingredients, a positive aspect, the presence of added sugars, specifically cane sugar, detracts significantly from its clean food status. Additionally, the inclusion of natural vanilla flavor, classified here as a potentially harmful additive, further lowers its rating.

The ingredients list reveals several areas where the product could be improved. Rolled oats serve as a wholesome base, but the addition of cane sugar and chocolate chunks, which include more sugar and cocoa butter, raises concerns about the product’s sugar content. Sunflower oil and sunflower seeds are acceptable, but the use of cocoa powder is overshadowed by the aforementioned sweeteners. The presence of sea salt is typical in such products, and the mixed tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E, could be seen as a nutritional benefit. However, the inclusion of natural vanilla flavor is flagged as a negative due to its classification as a potentially harmful additive.

To align closer with the criteria for cleaner food options, the product would benefit from switching to organic ingredients, reducing or eliminating added sugars, and avoiding additives like artificial flavors. These changes would not only enhance the health profile of the oat clusters but also improve their standing on our green leaf rating scale.

This product’s current formulation leaves room for significant improvement. The focus should be on using organic ingredients, minimizing added sugars, and eliminating unnecessary additives to offer a truly clean and healthy option for consumers seeking better food choices in a market saturated with unhealthy alternatives.