Sweet tarts

Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the Sweet Tarts Extreme Sour Chewy falls significantly short in meeting the standards for cleaner food options. This product is not organic, contains genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and is laden with added sugars and potentially harmful additives.

The ingredients list reveals several concerning components. Dextrose and corn syrup contribute to the high added sugar content, which is a major deduction in the product’s score. Moreover, it features a range of color additives such as Blue 1 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, and Yellow 6 Lake. These artificial colors are linked to negative health impacts and are therefore penalized heavily in our evaluation. Natural flavors and mono-and diglycerides are also present, which, while common, are flagged for their potential harm.

More troubling are ingredients like maltodextrin, which is heavily processed and often sourced from genetically modified corn. The presence of DL-Malic Acid, a synthetic food additive, further reduces the product’s score due to its potential as a harmful ingredient. The inclusion of hydrogenated coconut oil, a source of trans fats, is another reason for concern, although it is not explicitly listed in the scoring breakdown.

The product’s composition reflects a disregard for the principles of clean eating, prioritizing shelf stability and taste over health. The use of multiple artificial colorings and flavors, alongside GMOs and added sugars, positions this product at the lowest end of our health-conscious scale.

Consumers seeking healthier, cleaner food options are advised to steer clear of the Sweet Tarts Extreme Sour Chewy. The 1/5 green leaf rating underscores the product’s alignment with processed, artificial, and potentially harmful ingredients rather than natural, wholesome, and nutritious alternatives.