Panera Bread

The Panera Bread Peach & Blueberry Smoothie with Almondmilk earns a 3/5 green leaves rating. This product is a middle-of-the-road choice for those seeking cleaner food options. It does not boast an organic label, and there is no clear indication that it avoids GMO ingredients, both factors that detract from its overall score.

The smoothie’s base comprises a blend of fruit puree concentrates and natural flavors, diluted with water. It also includes unsweetened almond milk, which is a mix of filtered water, almonds, and several stabilizers and emulsifiers such as guar gum and gellan gum, along with sunflower lecithin. Fresh blueberries add a natural element to the beverage.

The absence of organic certification leads to a deduction in its rating, as the product may contain ingredients that are not free from pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. The absence of a non-GMO certification further lowers the score, raising concerns about potential genetic modification in its ingredients.

The inclusion of natural flavors is a point of contention. While the term ‘natural flavors’ is approved by regulatory agencies, it is a broad category that can encompass a range of substances, some of which may not align with a clean eating philosophy. Moreover, additives like gellan gum, while considered safe by food safety authorities, are subtracted from the product’s score due to their processed nature.

The Panera Bread Peach & Blueberry Smoothie with Almondmilk is neither at the high end of clean eating options nor at the low end. It resides in a middle ground, offering a blend of natural ingredients with some processed additives. The absence of organic and non-GMO certifications, along with the inclusion of natural flavors and certain additives, limits its potential to be a top choice for the cleanest food product. Nevertheless, it presents an option for consumers looking for a smoothie that incorporates both fruit purees and almond milk, with the added benefit of fresh blueberries.