Sabra

Awarded a 3/5 green leaf rating, the Sabra Caramelized Onion hummus occupies a middle ground on our clean food scale. This product is a non-organic option in the hummus category, which has led to a reduction in its overall score. It also includes non-GMO ingredients, another factor that detracts from its standing as a cleaner food choice.

The ingredient list reveals the presence of added sugars, specifically brown sugar, which contributes to its lower score, as our criteria prioritize products without added sweeteners. Additionally, the inclusion of citric acid, while commonly used as a preservative and flavor enhancer, is considered a form of added sugar in our assessment.

Another concern is the use of ‘natural flavor’ in the ingredients, a term that often covers a range of additives which may not align with our cleaner food criteria. This ambiguous term leads to further points being deducted due to the potential for harmful substances that might be hidden within this descriptor.

Despite these setbacks, the product’s foundation is built on chickpeas, water, tahini (sesame), and sunflower oil, which are less contentious ingredients from a health perspective. The use of spices such as paprika and garlic adds to the product’s nutritional profile without the need for artificial flavor enhancers.

The Sabra Caramelized Onion hummus thus finds itself in a balanced position. It is not among the highest-rated products due to its non-organic status, the inclusion of GMOs, added sugars, and ambiguous additives. However, it still manages to secure a moderate rating by avoiding the lowest tier of our scale. This places it as an acceptable option for those seeking a semi-clean food product, but it leaves room for improvement towards a cleaner, more wholesome food choice.