Starbucks American Menu

Awarded 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Starbucks American Menu Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew falls short of the clean food standards set by our website. This beverage is not organic and contains genetically modified ingredients, which detracts from its overall score. Additionally, the inclusion of added sugars and a variety of additives raises concerns regarding its healthfulness.

The product is crafted from brewed coffee and vanilla sweet cream. The latter comprises cream, milk, and vanilla syrup. The cream contains mono and diglycerides, carrageenan, while the syrup includes sugar, water, natural flavors, potassium sorbate, and citric acid. None of these components are organic. The presence of sugar and citric acid, both considered added sugars, negatively impacts the health score. The product also includes several additives that may be harmful. Natural flavors and mono and diglycerides, while common in processed foods, are not ideal for those seeking clean eating options. Potassium sorbate, used as a preservative, raises further health concerns. Most notably, carrageenan, a known harmful additive, significantly reduces the product’s rating due to its controversial health implications.

The product’s reliance on non-organic, GMO ingredients, coupled with its array of added sugars and potentially harmful additives, underscores the need for improvement. To elevate its standing to a higher green leaf rating, the product would benefit from a reformulation that prioritizes organic, non-GMO ingredients and eliminates questionable additives. This would align the product more closely with the clean food criteria that health-conscious consumers are increasingly seeking. The current composition of the Starbucks American Menu Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew does not meet the criteria for a cleaner, healthier beverage option.