Progresso

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Progresso Vegetable Classics Hearty Tomato soup fails to meet the criteria for a cleaner food option. This product is not organic, which immediately detracts from its potential score, reflecting a preference for foods that adhere to organic farming practices. Additionally, the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) further reduces its standing in the evaluation.

The inclusion of added sugars, such as sugar and citric acid, raises health concerns and contributes to the product’s low score. More concerning is the presence of corn syrup, a form of added sugar that is often criticized for its potential health impacts. The product also contains several additives that may be harmful, including natural flavor, flavor, modified food starch, and corn starch. These ingredients are often used to enhance taste and texture, but they can be seen as unnecessary and potentially detrimental when cleaner alternatives are available.

A significant concern is the presence of maltodextrin, an ingredient that the scoring system deems known to be harmful. Maltodextrin is a highly processed ingredient used as a thickener or filler, and its inclusion is a notable factor in the final assessment.

Despite its name suggesting a wholesome and nutritious choice, the Progresso Vegetable Classics Hearty Tomato soup does not align with the standards set for cleaner, healthier food options. The product contains multiple ingredients that are flagged as undesirable under the scoring system, which aims to guide consumers towards better choices in a market saturated with processed foods.

This product, with its low green leaf rating, exemplifies the types of food products that consumers looking for cleaner, healthier options should avoid. The evaluation is rooted in a rigorous analysis of the ingredient list, focusing on the presence of non-organic ingredients, GMOs, added sugars, and potentially harmful additives.