Monin

**Green Leaf Rating: 2/5**

The Monin Raspberry syrup is a product that garners a modest 2 out of 5 green leaves on our health-conscious scale. This rating reflects the product’s use of ingredients that do not align with the cleaner food options we advocate for. The syrup includes pure cane sugar and citric acid, both of which contribute to its lower score due to their classification as added sugars. Furthermore, the presence of natural flavors raises concerns because these additives often lack transparency regarding their composition and potential health implications.

The product is not organic, which results in a deduction from its overall health rating. The use of non-organic ingredients typically involves more pesticides and chemicals compared to their organic counterparts, which is something consumers looking for cleaner food options might want to avoid. Additionally, there is no assurance that the ingredients are non-GMO, meaning they may be genetically modified, further distancing the product from the clean label many health-conscious consumers seek.

The inclusion of cane sugar is particularly disconcerting as it represents a form of harmful added sugar. The body processes added sugars differently than natural sugars found in whole foods, often leading to negative health effects when consumed in excess. The syrup’s reliance on cane sugar as a sweetener is a significant factor in its reduced health score.

Monin Raspberry’s ingredient list, notably the unspecified natural flavors, is a point of contention. These flavors are a common ingredient in many processed foods, but without clear information on their sourcing and composition, they pose a potential risk to those seeking the most natural and unadulterated products.

The syrup’s low green leaf rating is a testament to its need for improvement in terms of health and transparency. To better cater to the growing market of health-conscious consumers, the product would benefit from a reformulation that emphasizes organic, non-GMO, and naturally-derived ingredients without added sugars or ambiguous flavor additives.