Menu
Newman’s Own
Flavor:
Family Recipe Italian Dressing
Ingredients:
Canola Oil, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Romano Cheese (Pasteurized Cow’s Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Less than 2% of: Sugar, Garlic (Dried), Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled Vinegar, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic (Dried), Sugar, Spices, Celery Seed, Tamarind Extract, Natural Flavor), Barley Malt Powder (Barley Malt Extract, Corn Syrup), Xanthan Gum (as a Thickener), Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Onion (Dried), Black Pepper, Paprika, Fennel Seed (Dried), Savory (Dried), Basil (Dried), Oregano (Dried), Paprika Extract (for Color).
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, Newman’s Own Family Recipe Italian Dressing falls at the lowest end of our scale for cleaner food options. This assessment is based on a rigorous examination of its ingredients, which raises multiple concerns for those seeking healthier choices.
The dressing is not certified organic, which detracts from its clean food status. Additionally, it does not use non-GMO ingredients, which is another factor that has negatively impacted its score. The presence of added sugars, including molasses and sugar, also contributes to the product’s low rating. More concerning is the inclusion of corn syrup, a sweetener often criticized for its health implications.
The product contains several additives that further diminish its standing. The term ‘natural flavor’ is ambiguous and can encompass a range of substances, not all of which may align with cleaner eating principles. Similarly, ‘flavor’ as an ingredient is non-specific and can refer to various chemical compositions. Xanthan gum, used as a thickener, has been flagged despite its common use in food products. Most notably, caramel color, an additive used to enhance appearance, is present and is considered harmful, leading to a significant deduction in the product’s overall score.
Canola oil, which is used as a base for the dressing, is another contentious ingredient. The debate around canola oil centers on its processing methods and potential health effects, prompting us to mark it as a harmful oil in the context of cleaner food alternatives.
The comprehensive analysis of Newman’s Own Family Recipe Italian Dressing’s ingredients reveals that it does not meet the standards set for cleaner, healthier food options. The combination of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, added sugars, potentially harmful additives, known harmful additives, and the use of canola oil has resulted in a minimal green leaf rating. Given these findings, our guidance is to seek alternative products that align more closely with the principles of clean eating.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
No Items found.
How We Rate
Every company today has a responsibility to be a net positive for the planet,
for society, and for our ecosystem