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Trader Joes

Flavor:

Autumnal Pie Truffles

Ingredients:

Milk Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Whole Milk Powder, Nonfat Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin [emulsifier], Natural Vanilla Flavor), Creme Filling (Sugar, Palm Oil, Canola Oil, Whole Milk Powder, Cocoa Mass, Cocoa Butter, Anhydrous Milk Fat, Soy Lecithin [emulsifier], Natural Vanilla Flavor), White Chocolate (Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Whole Milk Powder, Skim Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin [emulsifier], Natural Vanilla Flavor), Chocolate Creme Filling (Palm Oil, Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Canola Oil, Anhydrous Milk Fat, Soy Lecithin [emulsifier], Natural Vanilla Flavor), Caramel Filling (Glucose Syrup, Water, Butter [milk], Invert Sugar Syrup, Sweetened Condensed Milk [milk, Sugar], Glycerin, Sugar, Natural Flavor, Salt, Soy Lecithin [emulsifier]), Apple Filling (Dextrose, Glycerin, Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Fructose Syrup, Water, Apple Juice, Apple Puree, Fruit Pectin, Acidifiers [citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Calcium Citrate], Natural Flavors), Dark Chocolate (Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat, Soy Lecithin [emulsifier]), Caramelized Pecan Pieces (Pecans, Sugar), Sunflower Oil, Cookie Crumbles (Wheat Flour, Sugar, Palm Oil, Nonfat Milk Powder, Glucose-fructose Syrup, Salt, Ground Vanilla Beans, Leavening [sodium Carbonate, Ammonium Carbonate]), Glycerin, Margarine (Palm Oil, Water, Sunflower Oil, Salt, Sunflower Lecithin [emulsifier], Nonfat Milk Powder, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid [acidifier]), Chocolatey Cookie Crumbles (Wheat Flour, Sugar, Palm Oil, Low Fat Cocoa Powder, Salt, Leavening [sodium Carbonate, Potassium Carbonate, Ammonium Carbonate]), Crepe Cookie Bits (Wheat Flour, Sugar, Concentrated Butter [cream {milk}], Nonfat Milk Powder, Barley Malt, Salt), Rice Puffs (Rice Flour, Sugar, Salt, Cocoa Butter), Dried Cranberry Pieces (Sugar, Dried Cranberries, Sunflower Oil), Gingerbread Spice Blend (Cinnamon, Cloves, Ginger Powder, Nutmeg, Allspice, Coriander Seed, Mace, Cardamom), Ginger Powder, Sea Salt, Cinnamon, Natural Flavor, Color Added (Beet Powder, Paprika Oleoresin).

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Trader Joe’s Autumnal Pie Truffles represent a choice that may not align with the criteria for cleaner food options. The product is not organic and includes genetically modified ingredients, which has impacted its rating negatively. Furthermore, the presence of added sugars, including sugar, citric acid, fructose, dextrose, and glucose, raises concerns due to their potential health implications.

The truffles also contain a range of potentially harmful additives like natural flavors, flavorings, soy lecithin, sodium citrate, and glycerin. These ingredients are often scrutinized for their long-term effects on health. Moreover, the use of oils such as canola and palm oil is another reason for the low score. Palm oil production is notorious for its environmental impact, and canola oil often undergoes heavy processing.

The product’s ingredient list is extensive, featuring a mix of milk chocolate, creme fillings, white chocolate, and various flavored fillings such as caramel and apple. Additionally, it includes caramelized pecan pieces, sunflower oil, and an assortment of cookie crumbles and bits. Texture is provided by rice puffs, and flavor is enhanced with a gingerbread spice blend and other natural flavors. Color is added with beet powder and paprika oleoresin.

Consumers seeking cleaner food options might consider alternatives to the Trader Joe’s Autumnal Pie Truffles. The product’s composition, with its non-organic status, GMO ingredients, and array of added sugars and potentially harmful additives, places it at the lowest end of the green leaf rating scale. The emphasis on cleaner, more wholesome food choices suggests this product does not meet the standards set by those seeking to minimize their intake of processed and artificial ingredients.