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Trader Joes

Flavor:

Step Up to the Snack Bar Mix

Ingredients:

Honey Mustard Pretzel Pieces (Pretzels [wheat Flour, Yeast, Baking Soda, Sodium Hydroxide {processing Aid}], Vegetable Oil [peanut, Safflower, And/or Sunflower Oil], Seasoning [sugar, Maltodextrin, Brown Sugar, Mustard Powder {distilled Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Salt}, Onion Powder, Salt, Honey Powder, Modified Cornstarch, Citric Acid {acidulant}, Distilled Vinegar, Natural Flavors, Mustard Oil, Turmeric Oleoresin {color}]), Honey Roasted Peanuts (Peanuts, Sugar, Honey, Vegetable Oil [peanut, Safflower, And/or Sunflower Oil], Contains 1% Or Less Of Sea Salt, Potato Starch, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum), Corn Chips With Flax Seeds (White Corn Flour, Vegetable Oil [peanut, Safflower, And/or Sunflower Oil], Flax Seeds, Sea Salt, Potato Flour, Trace Of Lime), Cheddar Cheese Crackers (Unbleached Enriched Flour [wheat Flour, Niacin, Calcium Carbonate, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Cheddar Cheese [cultured Milk, Salt, Microbial Enzyme], Sunflower Oil, Salt, Sugar, Natural Cheddar Cheese Flavor [cheddar Cheese {cultured Milk, Salt, Microbial Enzyme}, Salt, Disodium Phosphate, Xanthan Gum], Annatto Extract [color], Baking Soda [leavening], Onion Powder, Ammonium Bicarbonate [leavening], Soy Lecithin, Enzymes), Honey Roasted Sesame Sticks (Malted Flour [wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour], Vegetable Oil [peanut, Safflower, And/or Sunflower Oil], Sugar, Sesame Seeds, Bulgur Wheat, Honey, Contains 2% Or Less Of Sea Salt, Potato Starch, Maltodextrin, Xanthan Gum), Chili Lemon Corn Sticks (White Corn Flour, Vegetable Oil [peanut, Safflower, And/or Sunflower Oil], Seasoning [sea Salt, Red Bell Pepper Powder, Chili Pepper, Citric Acid {acidulant}, Maltodextrin, Paprika {color}, Lemon Juice Solids, Natural Flavor], Potato Flour, Sea Salt, Trace Of Lime).

Rating: We Avoid

Ingredient Score:

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Trader Joe’s Step Up to the Snack Bar Mix falls significantly short of the clean food standards set by our website. This product is not organic and includes genetically modified ingredients, both of which detract from its overall score. Additionally, the presence of added sugars such as brown sugar and sugar, coupled with citric acid, further reduces its standing on our scale.

The mix contains several ingredients that raise concerns about potential harm. These include natural flavors and enriched flour, which are often considered ambiguous in terms of their origins and potential effects on health. Soy lecithin and xanthan gum, used as emulsifiers and stabilizers, along with ammonium bicarbonate, a leavening agent, also contribute to the deduction of points.

Moreover, maltodextrin, a heavily processed thickener or filler, is flagged as a known harmful additive in this snack mix. This ingredient has been linked to spikes in blood sugar and can disrupt gut health, which is particularly concerning for those seeking cleaner food options.

The use of non-specific vegetable oils, which may include peanut, safflower, and/or sunflower oil, is another significant downside. These oils are often highly processed and can contain unhealthy levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which, when consumed in excess, may contribute to inflammation and other health issues.

The Trader Joe’s Step Up to the Snack Bar Mix is a product that does not align with the values of those seeking cleaner, healthier food choices. Its composition of GMOs, added sugars, and potentially harmful additives and oils makes it a product that our website advises consumers to avoid. The low green leaf rating reflects these factors and underscores the importance of scrutinizing ingredient lists for the presence of such elements when making informed food choices.