Trader Joes

Rating: 2/5 Green Leaves

The Trader Joe’s Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps have earned a rating of 2 out of 5 green leaves on our website. This score reflects the product’s alignment with our standards for cleaner food options, which prioritize organic ingredients, non-GMO sourcing, and the exclusion of potentially harmful additives.

These crisps are not organic, which immediately reduces their score, as organic foods typically contain fewer pesticides and are often considered better for both consumer health and the environment. Furthermore, the product does not use non-GMO ingredients, which is another factor that lowers its rating. GMOs are controversial, and many consumers seeking cleaner food options prefer to avoid them.

The inclusion of citric acid as an added sugar is another negative aspect of these crisps. While citric acid is naturally occurring in citrus fruits, its synthetic form is commonly used as a preservative and flavor enhancer in processed foods. Our scoring reflects a preference for foods without added sugars or sugar substitutes.

Additionally, the presence of mono- and diglycerides raises concerns. These emulsifiers are often synthetically derived and may contain trans fats, which have been linked to negative health effects. The product also contains maltodextrin, a widely used additive that can spike blood sugar levels and is often derived from genetically modified corn.

The ingredients list for the Trader Joe’s Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps indicates that there is substantial room for improvement. To align better with cleaner eating principles, the product could benefit from a shift to organic ingredients, elimination of GMOs, and removal of additives like diglycerides and maltodextrin. As it stands, the crisps do not meet the higher standards of our green leaf rating system, which aims to guide consumers toward healthier and more environmentally friendly food choices.