Monin

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Monin Peanut Butter syrup falls short of meeting the criteria for a cleaner food option. The product does not boast organic ingredients, nor does it avoid GMOs, which deducts from its overall healthfulness. The presence of pure cane sugar as a primary ingredient signals added sugars, which detracts further from its clean food status. Moreover, the inclusion of cane sugar, a form of added sugar deemed more harmful, and the ambiguous ‘natural flavors’ raises concerns about potential health implications.

The product is composed of four ingredients: pure cane sugar, water, natural flavors, and sea salt. The lack of organic certification removes 10 points from its total score, reflecting the preference for organically sourced components. The use of GMOs, not explicitly avoided in this product, results in an additional 10-point deduction. Added sugars, present in the form of pure cane sugar, contribute to a 10-point decrease, acknowledging the negative impact of sugars on health. The cane sugar, considered more detrimental, incurs a steeper 20-point reduction. Lastly, the term ‘natural flavors’ often covers a range of unspecified additives, which prompts a cautious approach and a 20-point subtraction from the product’s score.

The ingredients indicate a need for substantial reformulation to align with the cleaner food standards promoted by the website. The use of organic, non-GMO ingredients, alongside the elimination of added sugars and ambiguous additives, would be necessary to improve the product’s standing. The current composition places the Monin Peanut Butter syrup towards the lower end of the website’s health-conscious scale, indicating significant room for enhancement. This assessment underscores the importance of transparent, wholesome ingredients in the pursuit of cleaner, healthier food options for consumers.