Panera Bread
Flavor:
Toasted Steak & White Cheddar
Ingredients:
Artisan Ciabatta (Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Enzyme [Corn], Folic Acid), Water, White Whole Wheat Flour, Olive Oil Blend (Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola Oil), Salt, Dough Improver (Wheat Gluten, Malted Wheat Flour, Deactivated Yeast, Microbial Enzymes, Ascorbic Acid), Yeast (Yeast, Sorbitan Monostearate, Ascorbic Acid), Enzyme Blend (Enriched Wheat Flour [Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Microbial Enzymes), Fully Cooked Seasoned Seared Beef Sirloin (Beef, Water, Vegetable Seasoning (Vegetable Stock [Carrot, Onion, Celery], Yeast Extract, Salt, Cane Sugar, Dried Potato, Natural Flavor, Onion Powder, Black Pepper And Celery Extractives), Corn Starch Modified, Steak Seasoning Blend (Celery, Black, White, Green And Pink Peppercorns, Dehydrated Garlic, Sea Salt, Canola Oil), Sea Salt, Smoke Flavor, Black Pepper, Soybean Oil), Horseradish Sauce (Soybean Oil, Water, Prepared Horseradish [Horseradish, Distilled Vinegar, Salt], Egg Yolks, Distilled Vinegar, Corn Starch, Salt, Sugar, Xanthan Gum, Rosemary Extract, Natural Flavor [Mustard Oil]), Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Microbial Enzymes), Pickled Red Onions (Red Onions, Sugar, Water, White Wine Vinegar, Distilled Vinegar, Calcium Chloride, Salt)
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Panera Bread Toasted Steak & White Cheddar is a product that our evaluation process deems advisable to avoid. This sandwich features artisan ciabatta, seasoned seared beef sirloin, horseradish sauce, sharp white cheddar cheese, and pickled red onions. Despite its artisanal presentation, the product falls short in terms of clean and healthy food standards.
The bread, made with both enriched flour and white whole wheat flour, includes additional ingredients such as microbial enzymes and dough improvers. The steak component contains modified corn starch and a seasoning blend that includes canola oil—a factor that detracts from its overall healthfulness. The horseradish sauce is a mixture of ingredients including soybean oil and various additives like xanthan gum, which are not aligned with cleaner eating.
Moreover, the inclusion of both cane sugar and sugar in the product’s list of ingredients results in a significant deduction from its health score. The presence of non-organic and GMO ingredients further impacts its rating adversely. The use of potentially harmful oils, namely soybean and canola oil, is another critical point of concern. Such oils are often processed and may contain trans fats that are linked to health issues.
Additionally, the product contains natural flavors and other additives that are frequently scrutinized for their potential health impacts. The sharp white cheddar cheese and pickled red onions also contribute to the product’s overall makeup but do not counterbalance the negative aspects that have been highlighted.
The assessment of the Panera Bread Toasted Steak & White Cheddar reveals a product that prioritizes flavor complexity over nutritional integrity and clean ingredients. For consumers seeking cleaner food options, this offering does not meet the stringent criteria that are necessary for a higher green leaf rating. Therefore, it is recommended to consider alternative choices that adhere to a higher standard of healthfulness and ingredient transparency.
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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How We Rate
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