Trader Joes

Our green leaf rating for the Trader Joe’s Maple Pecan Clusters Cereal is 1/5, signaling a product that we recommend consumers avoid based on our health criteria. This cereal is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients, which significantly impacts its score. Furthermore, the presence of multiple forms of added sugars, including milled cane sugar and syrup, raises concerns about its healthfulness.

The inclusion of potentially harmful additives such as natural flavor and unspecified color added, which often encompasses a range of artificial components, further detracts from the product’s overall rating. The use of expeller pressed canola oil, categorized under harmful oils in our assessment, also contributes to the low score. These ingredients combined suggest that the cereal may not align with the goals of consumers seeking cleaner food options.

While the product does contain whole grains such as rolled oats, brown rice, and whole wheat flour, these positive aspects are overshadowed by the negative attributes that dominate our scoring criteria. The presence of pecans and maple syrup does not mitigate the impact of the less desirable ingredients.

Our green leaf system is designed to guide consumers toward healthier, more natural food choices, and this cereal falls short of the standards we promote. With a 1/5 green leaf rating, we consider this product to be a less optimal choice for those aiming to incorporate cleaner foods into their diet. As such, we advise looking for alternative cereal options that have higher green leaf ratings, indicating a healthier and more wholesome ingredient list.