Trader Joes
Flavor:
Cinnamon Coffee Cake
Ingredients:
Cake (Coffee Cake Base [sugar, Unbleached Enriched Flour {wheat Flour, Malted Barley, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid}, Cornstarch, Canola Oil, Vital Wheat Gluten, Baking Powder {sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate}, Whey Powder, Salt, Natural Flavors, Sunflower Lecithin, Microbial Enzyme], Eggs, Canola Oil, Sour Cream [grade A Cultured Pasteurized Cream], Buttermilk [cultured Lowfat Milk, Salt], Natural Vanilla Flavor), Topping (Brown Sugar, Unbleached Enriched Flour [wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Butter [cream, Natural Flavors], Cinnamon).
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Awarded 1/5 green leaves, the Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake falls short of the cleaner food options we endorse. Our evaluation places it at the lowest end of our rating system, urging consumers to steer clear due to the presence of ingredients that fail to align with our health standards.
The product is not organic, a significant factor in our assessment, leading to its low score. This designation points to the likelihood of pesticides and other chemicals in its ingredients, which are not in line with the cleaner food ethos. Furthermore, the lack of non-GMO ingredients raises concerns about potential health risks and environmental impact associated with genetically modified organisms.
Our scrutiny reveals that the cake contains added sugars, specifically brown sugar and sugar, contributing to its poor rating. The excessive use of sugar is a critical issue, given the well-documented negative effects of high sugar intake on overall health.
The inclusion of potentially harmful additives, specifically natural flavors, also diminishes the product’s standing. Although ‘natural flavors’ may sound benign, the term is often a catch-all for various chemicals that do not have to be disclosed on ingredient labels. The vague nature of this ingredient does not meet our criteria for transparency and healthfulness.
Moreover, the use of enriched flour, which appears twice in the list of ingredients, is a point of contention. While fortifying flour with vitamins and minerals may seem beneficial, it often indicates a product has been highly processed, stripping away the grain’s natural nutrients.
Lastly, the presence of canola oil, categorized as a harmful oil in our scoring system, further detracts from the product’s rating. Canola oil, often highly processed and potentially containing trans fats, is not considered a healthy oil option.
Therefore, the Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake, with its non-organic status, GMO ingredients, added sugars, questionable additives, and inclusion of canola oil, is positioned as a product to avoid for those seeking cleaner, healthier food choices.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
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How We Rate
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for society, and for our ecosystem