Panera Bread
Flavor:
Greek Salad
Ingredients:
Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Greek Dressing (Soybean Oil, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Pomace Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, Black Pepper, Dehydrated Garlic, Gum Acacia, Dehydrated Oregano, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Arabic Gum, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Dehydrated Tarragon, Citric Acid, Dehydrated Parsley, Dehydrated Rosemary, Dehydrated Thyme, Dehydrated Bay Leaves), Feta Cheese (Cultured Pasteurized Part-Skim Milk And Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Microbial & Animal Enzymes, Potato Starch And Powdered Cellulose To Prevent Caking, Natamycin [Mold Inhibitor]), Red Onion, Pepperoncini (Greek Pepperoncini, Water, Vinegar, Sea Salt, Citric Acid, Riboflavin For Color), Baby Pitted Kalamata Olives (Kalamata Olive, Water, Red Wine Vinegar, Sea Salt, Concentrated Grape Juice, Spices [Hops, Sage, Chamomile, Coriander, Anise, And Thyme]), Sea Salt And Black Pepper Blend (Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Canola Oil)
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the Panera Bread Greek Salad falls significantly short of the clean food standards set by our website. This salad is not organic and includes non-GMO ingredients, which detracts from its overall score. The Greek dressing contains soybean oil, a commonly used oil that raises concerns due to its potential GMO origins and the industrial processing methods involved in its production. Canola oil, also found in the sea salt and black pepper blend, is similarly criticized for its conventional GMO status and its highly refined nature.
The presence of added sugars, though seemingly minor, impacts the nutritional profile of the salad. Citric acid, typically used as a preservative, is considered an added sugar in this context. Furthermore, the inclusion of xanthan gum, a thickening agent, contributes to the deduction of points. While xanthan gum is a common food additive, there is caution over its potential to cause digestive issues in some individuals.
The salad’s ingredients, such as romaine lettuce, tomatoes, feta cheese, red onion, pepperoncini, and Kalamata olives, are not problematic on their own. However, the assessment’s focus on organic, non-GMO, and additive-free criteria places the salad in the lowest tier of our rating system. The various additives and non-organic ingredients present in the dressing and cheese, combined with the use of oils that do not meet our clean food criteria, lead to its low score.
Our evaluation aims to guide consumers towards the healthiest food choices, prioritizing products free from additives, non-organic ingredients, and GMOs. Based on these standards, the Panera Bread Greek Salad is not recommended for those seeking the cleanest food options. Consumers are encouraged to look for salads with higher green leaf ratings 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
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