Panera Bread

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Panera Bread Brisk Raspberry Tea earns the lowest possible score on our clean food gauge. This rating reflects the product’s extensive use of ingredients that do not align with our standards for healthier food options.

The tea is not organic, a factor that contributes to its low standing. Additionally, it contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs), further distancing it from our criteria for clean eating. The presence of added sugars, such as citric acid and fructose, also detracts from the product’s score. More concerning, however, is the inclusion of acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and high fructose corn syrup, which are considered more harmful types of added sugars.

Furthermore, the Panera Bread Brisk Raspberry Tea contains several potentially harmful additives. These include unspecified natural flavors, potassium sorbate, and caramel color, all of which are ingredients that our scoring system penalizes. The tea also contains sodium benzoate and Red 40, both of which are known harmful additives that negatively impact the product’s score.

Most notably, high fructose corn syrup is a significant ingredient in this beverage. Its inclusion is a primary reason for the deduction in points, due to its association with various health concerns and its prevalence as a sweetener in processed foods.

The cumulative presence of these ingredients—non-organic, GMO, added sugars, harmful sweeteners, and known additives—solidifies the Panera Bread Brisk Raspberry Tea’s position at the bottom of our rating scale. Our assessment advises consumers to avoid this product in favor of cleaner, healthier food and drink options that are free from such controversial ingredients. This tea represents a clear example of what our website aims to help consumers identify and steer clear of in their quest for better food choices.