Tillamook

Rated at 2/5 green leaves, the Tillamook French Vanilla ice cream falls short of our clean food criteria. This product is neither organic nor does it use non-GMO ingredients. It also includes added sugars and potentially harmful additives, which greatly diminish its standing on our scale.

The ice cream contains cream, skim milk, milk, and pasteurized egg yolks as its base, which are typical ingredients for this type of product. However, it loses significant points due to the inclusion of sugar and citric acid, both of which are classified as added sugars. These components are a concern for those seeking to limit their sugar intake.

Further deductions are made for the presence of ‘natural flavor’, an ambiguous term that often encompasses a variety of chemical components. The addition of annatto for color is another point of contention, as it is unnecessary and can be replaced with more natural alternatives. The product also contains several gums: guar gum, tara gum, xanthan gum, and locust bean gum, which are common thickeners and stabilizers in the food industry. While these are generally recognized as safe, their necessity in a ‘clean’ product is questionable, and they contribute to the lower rating.

The Tillamook French Vanilla ice cream, therefore, has significant room for improvement. By switching to organic ingredients, eliminating GMOs, and reducing the use of added sugars and unnecessary additives, this product could rise in our rankings. Consumers looking for cleaner food options would benefit from such changes, aligning the product more closely with the health-conscious values they seek.