Trader Joes

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Bun Inspired Joe-Joe’s Sandwich Creme Cookies fall short of the cleaner food options our website advocates for. This product is not organic and contains genetically modified ingredients, which already detracts significantly from its healthfulness according to our standards. Additionally, its composition includes added sugars and more concerning, cane sugar, which we classify as a harmful added sugar due to its processing and impact on health.

The presence of potentially harmful additives further reduces the product’s score. These include natural vanilla flavor, enriched flour, soy lecithin, and ammonium bicarbonate. Enriched flour, while fortified with certain vitamins, has gone through processing that strips away the grain’s natural nutrients. Soy lecithin, commonly used as an emulsifier, is often sourced from soybeans that are genetically modified. Ammonium bicarbonate, used as a leavening agent, can cause concern if consumed in large quantities.

Moreover, the use of harmful oils such as canola and palm oil adds to the list of undesired ingredients. Canola oil, often highly processed, may contain trans fats that are detrimental to heart health. The inclusion of palm oil raises environmental and ethical concerns due to the impact of palm oil production on deforestation and animal habitats.

Given these considerations, our assessment of the Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Bun Inspired Joe-Joe’s Sandwich Creme Cookies is clear. It earns the lowest possible rating on our scale, which signals a recommendation to avoid this product for those seeking healthier, cleaner food options. The ingredients list points to a product that does not align with the goals of consumers aiming to minimize their intake of processed sugars, GMOs, and environmentally harmful substances.