Trader Joes

The Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar earns a rating of 2/5 green leaves on our website, signaling that it falls short in meeting the standards for clean eating that we advocate. This product is not organic, and it also fails to use non-GMO ingredients, both of which are significant factors in our evaluation process. The inclusion of added sugars, specifically in the form of sugar listed plainly in the ingredients, detracts further from its score. Additionally, the presence of soy lecithin and natural vanilla flavor raises concerns due to their classification as potentially harmful additives in our scoring system.

Our assessment of the Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Advent Calendar is based on the presence of these ingredients, which do not align with the cleaner food options we seek to promote. The product contains sugar, cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, whole milk powder, nonfat dry milk, soy lecithin as an emulsifier, and natural vanilla flavor. The absence of organic certification and the use of GMOs are clear drawbacks. The sugar content, while expected in a chocolate product, contributes to the overall negative health implications associated with high sugar intake. Soy lecithin, often used as an emulsifier in chocolate, is derived from soy, a common genetically modified crop, and its inclusion here suggests GMOs are present. The term “natural vanilla flavor” also raises questions about the purity and source of the flavoring, as it is not specified as being from organic or non-GMO vanilla.

The product has ample room for improvement to meet the standards of a cleaner food product. To enhance its rating, the chocolate could be reformulated to include organic ingredients, non-GMO components, and eliminate potentially harmful additives. This would provide a more health-conscious option for consumers looking for cleaner treats, especially during the festive season when the Advent Calendar is typically enjoyed. Our rating reflects the need for such improvements and serves as a guide for consumers in search of higher-quality, cleaner food choices.