Mike and Ikes

Green Leaf Rating: 1/5

The ‘Mike and Ikes Sour Lemon’ earns the lowest green leaf rating on our website, which highlights a commitment to cleaner food options. This product is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients, factors that significantly impact its rating. The inclusion of added sugars, particularly corn syrup, contributes to its negative assessment. The presence of potentially and known harmful additives, such as artificial flavors and colors, specifically Yellow #5, further diminishes its score.

This candy is laden with ingredients that raise health concerns. Starting with sugar and corn syrup, the product introduces high levels of sweeteners that are detrimental to a balanced diet. Despite the widespread use of such sweeteners in the food industry, their impact on health cannot be overlooked, as they are linked to various diet-related conditions.

The list of additives in ‘Mike and Ikes Sour Lemon’ includes fumaric acid, sodium citrate, citric acid, malic acid, and modified food starch. These additives are often used to enhance flavor, texture, and shelf life but do not align with the cleaner food choices many consumers are now seeking. Furthermore, the product contains artificial flavor and color, which are ingredients consumers are increasingly trying to avoid due to concerns over their safety and the lack of nutritional value.

The presence of Yellow #5, also known as Tartrazine, is particularly noteworthy. This artificial colorant has been associated with adverse reactions in some individuals and is often cited as an ingredient to avoid for those seeking a more natural diet.

The ‘Mike and Ikes Sour Lemon’ product does not meet the standards for those seeking healthier, more natural food options. Its ingredients list and the resulting green leaf rating clearly indicate that this product is best avoided by consumers looking to minimize their intake of added sugars, GMOs, and artificial additives in their diet.