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Trader Joes
Flavor:
Sour Jelly Beans
Ingredients:
Sugar, Glucose Syrup (Corn, Wheat**), Modified Cornstarch, Acidulants (Lactic Acid, Citric Acid), Juice Concentrate Blend (Pineapple Juice Concentrate, Orange Juice Concentrate, Apple Juice Concentrate), Color Added (Fruit Juice, Vegetable Juice, Spirulina Extract), Natural Flavors, Glazing Agent (Carnauba Wax, Beeswax, Confectioner’s Shellac, Coconut Oil).
**The wheat has been processed to allow this food to meet the Food and Drug Administration requirements for gluten free foods.
Rating: Not Clean
- 2 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
This product receives a 2/5 green leaves rating. Trader Joe’s Sour Jelly Beans are not an optimal choice for those seeking clean food options. The absence of organic ingredients and the presence of GMOs contribute to its lower rating. Additionally, the product includes added sugars, specifically sugar and glucose syrup, which detract from its healthfulness. The presence of natural flavors and other additives further undermines the product’s claim to cleanliness.
Trader Joe’s Sour Jelly Beans are made with a variety of ingredients that fall short of the clean food criteria. The product is not organic, which means it may contain pesticides and chemicals that many health-conscious consumers aim to avoid. Although the wheat in the glucose syrup has been processed to meet FDA requirements for gluten-free foods, the product fails to use non-GMO ingredients, raising concerns for those who prioritize genetically unmodified foods.
The inclusion of added sugars is a significant downside, as sugar and glucose syrup are the main sweetening agents in the jelly beans. These sugars contribute to the overall caloric content without offering nutritional benefits. The acidulants, namely lactic acid and citric acid, are common in confectionery to provide tartness but do not align with a clean eating philosophy. Juice concentrates from pineapple, orange, and apple provide some natural sweetness and color, but this is overshadowed by the additional colorants derived from fruit juice, vegetable juice, and spirulina extract.
The use of glazing agents such as carnauba wax, beeswax, and confectioner’s shellac, combined with coconut oil, is standard in the industry to achieve a desirable shine on the jelly beans. However, these ingredients do not meet the criteria for clean food due to their processing and potential health implications.
Overall, Trader Joe’s Sour Jelly Beans have room for improvement in terms of ingredient quality and healthfulness. For consumers prioritizing a clean diet, this product does not align with those values, as reflected in its lower green leaf rating.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
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