Reese’s

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, Reese’s Blossom-Top Miniature Peanut Butter Cups fall at the bottom of our clean food scale. This product is not organic and utilizes GMO ingredients, which already puts it at a disadvantage in terms of our health-conscious criteria. The presence of added sugars, specifically sugar and citric acid, further detracts from its score.

Delving deeper, the ingredient list reveals dextrose and corn syrup, both of which are considered more harmful types of added sugars due to their processing methods and impact on blood sugar levels. These ingredients contribute significantly to the product’s low rating. Moreover, the inclusion of potentially harmful additives such as artificial flavors and Red 40 raises concerns regarding the product’s safety and nutritional value.

The product also contains known harmful additives, including TBHQ, a preservative that extends shelf life but has been linked to negative health effects in some studies. The artificial color, Red 40, which is used to enhance the product’s appearance, has been the subject of scrutiny due to potential adverse health implications. Additionally, the labeling of vanillin as an artificial flavor is indicative of synthetic production, which is less favorable compared to natural flavoring options.

While the product does not contain high fructose corn syrup, the presence of the aforementioned ingredients is enough to merit the lowest possible score on our scale. Given these factors, Reese’s Blossom-Top Miniature Peanut Butter Cups is a product that does not align with the cleaner food options we aim to promote. Consumers seeking healthier alternatives would be advised to consider other options that prioritize organic ingredients, avoid GMOs, and eliminate harmful additives and added sugars from their formulations.