Trader Joes

Awarded a 1/5 green leaf rating, the Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix falls short of meeting the cleaner food criteria set forth by our website. This product is not organic, and it is not verified as non-GMO, which detracts significantly from its overall score. Additionally, the ingredient list raises concerns due to the inclusion of added sugars, specifically cane sugar, and the presence of potentially harmful additives.

The composition of the Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix includes cane sugar as the primary ingredient, followed by coconut oil and maltodextrin. Matcha green tea, which one might expect to be the main component, appears further down the list, suggesting a lower concentration. The product also contains whole milk powder and non-fat milk powder, as well as malted milk powder, which includes barley malt, wheat flour, milk, bicarbonate of soda, and salt.

Natural flavors, sodium caseinate, tricalcium phosphate, guar gum, mono and diglycerides, silicon dioxide, and salt round out the list of ingredients. The inclusion of these additives, especially the unspecified natural flavors, mono and diglycerides, and silicon dioxide, contribute to the product’s low rating. These ingredients are often scrutinized for their potential health impacts and their presence in a product marketed as a healthier option is concerning.

The Trader Joe’s Matcha Green Tea Latte Mix has therefore been allocated the lowest possible score on our scale due to these factors. It is clear that this product does not align with the standards of cleaner, healthier food options that we advocate for. Consumers seeking alternatives with higher ratings are encouraged to explore other products that prioritize organic ingredients, avoid GMOs, and minimize the use of added sugars and questionable additives.