Trader Joes
Flavor:
Vegan Bolognese Style Pasta Sauce
Ingredients:
Whole Peeled Tomatoes And Juice (Tomatoes, Tomato Juice), Plant-based Crumbles (Water, Pea Protein [pea Protein, Pea Starch], Vegetable Oil Blend [Canola Oil, Coconut Oil], Pea Protein Isolate, Natural Flavors, Modified Cellulose, Yeast Extract, Citrus Fiber, Tapioca Starch/Flour, Gum Arabic, Konjac Gum), Carrot, Mushroom, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Onion, Celery, Nutritional Yeast (Yeast, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B12), Garlic, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Sea Salt, Basil, Porcini Mushroom Powder, Black Pepper, Crushed Chili Peppers, Dried Oregano.
Rating: Not Clean
- 2 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Trader Joe’s Vegan Bolognese Style Pasta Sauce falls short of the clean and healthy standards set by our website. This product is not organic, and it has not been verified as non-GMO. Furthermore, the presence of canola and vegetable oils, along with certain additives like natural flavors and Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, detracts significantly from its overall health score.
The sauce’s base consists of whole peeled tomatoes and juice, which is a positive start. However, the plant-based crumbles included for texture and protein raise concerns due to their composition. The crumbles are made from pea protein, water, and an oil blend that includes canola and coconut oils. Although coconut oil is not penalized in our scoring system, canola oil is considered a less desirable ingredient due to its processing methods and potential health implications.
The inclusion of nutritional yeast provides B-vitamins, which are beneficial for a vegan diet. Nevertheless, the use of natural flavors is a drawback. The term “natural flavors” is often a placeholder for undisclosed compounds, which may not align with the clean eating principles many consumers seek.
Additional ingredients such as lemon juice concentrate, sea salt, and a variety of herbs contribute to the nutritional profile and are common in pasta sauces. However, the presence of Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (a form of Vitamin B6) is noted as a synthetic ingredient, and while it is approved for use by regulatory agencies, it is less favorable than whole food sources of nutrients.
The product does not meet the high standards required for a higher green leaf rating due to these ingredients and the lack of organic certification. For a cleaner and healthier alternative, the product would benefit from using organic tomatoes, removing potentially harmful additives, and replacing canola oil with a healthier oil option. As it stands, the Trader Joe’s Vegan Bolognese Style Pasta Sauce has considerable room for improvement to align with the values of consumers seeking the cleanest food products.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
Alternatives
No Items found.
How We Rate
Every company today has a responsibility to be a net positive for the planet,
for society, and for our ecosystem