Van Leeuwen

Rated at 2/5 green leaves, the Van Leeuwen Vanilla Bean ice cream falls short in our evaluation for cleaner food options. This product is crafted from a list of simple ingredients: milk, cream, cane sugar, egg yolks, vanilla extract, salt, and vanilla bean. However, the absence of organic certification and the presence of genetically modified elements contribute to its lower rating.

The product is not organic, which detracts from its clean-food status. Organic foods are often preferred for their avoidance of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and in this case, Van Leeuwen Vanilla Bean does not meet that criterion. Additionally, the lack of non-GMO verification raises concerns for those seeking to avoid genetically modified organisms in their diet.

Sugar content is another critical factor in our assessment. The inclusion of cane sugar, classified here as an added sugar, further diminishes the product’s standing. More concerning is the designation of cane sugar as a harmful added sugar, which suggests a less favorable nutritional profile. While sugars are common in ice cream, their impact on health is significant, and their presence in this product necessitates a penalty in our scoring system.

The ingredients themselves, while recognizable and relatively straightforward, do not align with the highest standards of clean eating. The product’s composition reflects a need for improvement to achieve a healthier, cleaner profile that would cater to consumers seeking purer food options.

Van Leeuwen Vanilla Bean, with its 2/5 green leaves rating, represents an option in the ice cream market that does not fully embrace the principles of clean eating due to its non-organic nature, use of GMOs, and added sugars. For those prioritizing cleaner, more wholesome ingredients, this product may not be the optimal choice.