Wendy’s
Flavor:
Jr. Hamburger
Ingredients:
Sandwich Bun: Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup and/or Sugar, Wheat Gluten, Soybean Oil, Yeast, Salt, Yellow Corn Flour, Colors (Annatto and Turmeric), Contains less than 2% of each of the following: Calcium Propionate (Added as a Preservative), Cultured Wheat Flour, Dextrin, Dough Conditioners (Contains One or More of the Following: Ascorbic Acid [Vitamin C], Calcium Iodate, Calcium Peroxide, Calcium Stearoyl Lactylate, Calcium Sulfate, Datem, Distilled Monoglycerides, Enzymes, Ethoxylated Monoglycerides and Diglycerides, Monoglycerides and/or Diglycerides, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate [SSL]), Maltodextrin, Natural Flavor, Wheat Flour, Whole Grain Corn Flour, Yeast Foods (Contains One or More of the Following: Ammonium Sulfate, Calcium Carbonate, Monocalcium Phosphate), Sesame Flour. CONTAINS WHEAT, SESAME.
Jr. Hamburger Patty: Ground Beef, Salt. HAMBURGER PATTIES ARE COOKED ON THE SAME GRILL AS AND MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH INGREDIENTS THAT CONTAIN MILK AND SOY.
Crinkle Cut Pickles: Cucumber, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Lactic Acid, Natural Flavors, Polysorbate 80 and Turmeric.
Ketchup: Tomato Concentrate from Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Salt, Natural Flavoring, Spices, Onion Powder. CONTAINS EGG.
Mustard: Water, Distilled Vinegar, Mustard Seed, Salt, Turmeric (Color), Paprika, Spice.
Sweet Onion: Onion.
Rating: We Avoid
- 1 out of 5
Ingredient Score:
Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Wendy’s Jr. Hamburger represents the lowest tier on our clean food scale. This score reflects the presence of numerous non-organic, potentially GMO ingredients, and a variety of additives that raise concerns for those seeking cleaner food options.
The sandwich bun alone contains high fructose corn syrup and sugar, both of which contribute to the deduction of points due to added sugars. It also includes enriched flour, which is a refined product, and several dough conditioners like DATEM and monoglycerides, which are considered potentially harmful additives. The use of soybean oil, a highly processed oil often derived from GMO sources, further impacts the score negatively.
The Jr. Hamburger patty is straightforward with ground beef and salt, but the cooking process involves shared equipment that may introduce cross-contamination with milk and soy. The pickles include sodium benzoate, a preservative that is flagged as harmful, while the ketchup is another source of high fructose corn syrup. The mustard remains relatively simple with basic ingredients, and the sweet onion is just that—onion.
Overall, the Wendy’s Jr. Hamburger is not organic, uses non-GMO ingredients, and is laden with additives and sugars that our scoring system deems unfavorable for a clean diet. Consumers looking for cleaner food options are advised to avoid this product, as it fails to meet the standards for a higher green leaf rating. This assessment is rooted in a thorough evaluation of the ingredients, prioritizing healthfulness and transparency for those navigating the often confusing food market.
Certifications:
None
Product formulations and certifications may change. For current nutrition facts and ingredient
line information, check product packaging.
Categories:
None
Alternatives
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