North Country Smokehouse

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the North Country Smokehouse Uncured Mexican Style Chorizo With Brandy Sausage falls short of the cleaner food options that health-conscious consumers seek. This product does not boast an organic label, nor does it claim to use non-GMO ingredients, both of which are significant factors in our evaluation process.

The list of ingredients reveals a relatively simple composition, with natural pork and a blend of spices including paprika. Sea salt and red vinegar are also present, which are standard in many sausage recipes. Brandy is an addition that offers a unique twist to the flavor profile, although we do not take taste into consideration for our rating. The inclusion of cultured celery powder as a natural preservative is where this product faces its most significant deduction. Although it serves as an alternative to synthetic nitrates, its safety as a food additive is under scrutiny, thus impacting the product’s overall score.

The scoring system on our website deducts points for products that are not organic, contain GMOs, or include ingredients that could be potentially harmful. This chorizo sausage has had points removed for each of these categories. The absence of an organic certification means the pork and other ingredients may have been produced with conventional farming practices, which often involve pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Similarly, without a non-GMO verification, there is a possibility that the product contains genetically modified organisms, which some consumers prefer to avoid.

The chorizo’s score reflects these concerns, positioning it among the lower-rated items on our scale of clean eating options. The aim of our website is to guide consumers toward food choices that are not only healthier but also environmentally responsible and transparent in their production. Health-conscious shoppers looking for the cleanest products might consider alternatives that meet more stringent criteria, including organic certification and the absence of questionable additives.