Oikos

Oikos Pro Vanilla earns a rating of 3 out of 5 green leaves on our website. This reflects its position as a middle-of-the-road option for consumers seeking cleaner foods. The product is a cultured dairy item, using ultra-filtered nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate as its primary ingredients. It is fortified with Vitamin D3 and uses Stevia Leaf Reb M as a sweetener.

The product does not hold an organic certification, which detracts from its clean food status. Moreover, there is no clear indication that the ingredients are non-GMO, further reducing its score. The inclusion of Stevia as a sweetener is a point of contention; while it is a non-caloric natural sweetener, it is still processed and added to the product, which affects its purity from a clean eating perspective.

Concerns also arise with the incorporation of ‘Natural Flavors’ and ‘Potassium Sorbate’. Natural flavors are often criticized for their lack of transparency, as they can consist of various compounds not specified on the label. Potassium Sorbate serves as a preservative to maintain the product’s freshness but is considered less desirable in the realm of clean eating due to its synthetic nature.

The product’s formulation does include some positive aspects, such as the absence of fat and the presence of protein, which may be beneficial for those looking to increase their protein intake without additional fat. However, the deductions in its rating reflect the presence of ingredients that do not align with the strictest interpretations of a clean eating philosophy.

Oikos Pro Vanilla holds a moderate standing among food products marketed as cleaner options. While it does not reach the highest echelons of clean food due to its lack of organic and non-GMO verification, and the inclusion of added sweeteners and preservatives, it still manages to provide a protein-rich dairy option for those looking to balance convenience with cleaner eating principles.