Monin

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Monin Blue Cotton Candy syrup is a product our website recommends consumers avoid due to its content of non-organic, potentially GMO ingredients, and the inclusion of additives and artificial colors.

This syrup is not organic, which detracts from its overall score as our rating system prioritizes organic products. Furthermore, the lack of non-GMO verification raises concerns about the potential use of genetically modified ingredients. The presence of pure cane sugar and citric acid contributes to the added sugars content, which is a negative factor in our assessment of food products, given the general health consensus to minimize added sugar intake.

More concerning is the higher penalty assigned to cane sugar, which we consider a more harmful type of added sugar. This ingredient, commonplace in many sweetened food products, is often associated with adverse health effects when consumed in excess. Additionally, the syrup contains natural flavors and potassium sorbate – a preservative. While ‘natural flavors’ is a broad term that can encompass a variety of sources, it is penalized in our system due to the lack of transparency about its origins and potential health effects. Potassium sorbate is used to extend shelf life, but its inclusion is not favored in our scoring system, as we advocate for fewer synthetic additives in food.

The most significant deduction stems from the inclusion of FD&C Blue #1, an artificial colorant. This additive is flagged in our system as a known harmful ingredient, and its use results in the most substantial point reduction. The use of artificial dyes is widely debated, and there are concerns about their safety and necessity in food products.

Given these factors, the Monin Blue Cotton Candy syrup receives the lowest possible rating on our scale. Our analysis is rooted in a commitment to promoting cleaner, more natural food options. This product, with its combination of non-organic ingredients, potential GMOs, added sugars, and artificial additives, does not align with the cleaner food options we aim to endorse.