Monin

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Monin Pumpkin Spice syrup offers a simple blend of ingredients, but falls short of our clean food standards. This product lacks organic certification, which costs it points in our assessment. Its use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) also detracts from its clean food status.

The primary ingredient, pure cane sugar, leads to a significant deduction due to its role as an added sugar, which we aim to minimize in a health-conscious diet. The presence of cane sugar, specified as a more harmful added sugar, further diminishes the product’s score. Lastly, the natural flavors included raise concerns due to their ambiguous nature and the potential for hidden harmful additives.

The product’s formulation, featuring water and sea salt alongside the aforementioned ingredients, does not align with our criteria for cleaner food options. The presence of both sugar and cane sugar as separate line items suggests a high sweetener content, which is often unnecessary and undesirable for those seeking healthier alternatives.

The inclusion of natural flavors is particularly troubling, as this term can mask a range of unspecified substances that may not meet the criteria for clean eating. While these flavors are derived from natural sources, the lack of transparency regarding their composition is a drawback for consumers seeking purity in their food products.

The Monin Pumpkin Spice syrup, therefore, receives a low rating on our scale. Its composition is not reflective of the clean, wholesome options we promote. For a product to achieve a higher rating, it would need to incorporate organic ingredients, avoid GMOs, reduce added sugars, and provide greater transparency regarding its flavor additives. These changes would make it a healthier choice for consumers looking for cleaner food products.