Werther’s Original

Werther’s Original Caramel Hard Candies receive a 1/5 green leaf rating, signaling a product that our assessments deem to be among the least healthy options for consumers seeking cleaner food choices. This low score reflects the presence of several ingredients that fail to meet the criteria for a cleaner, healthier food product.

The candies are not organic, a factor that immediately detracts from their potential score. Additionally, the ingredients list reveals the use of non-GMO elements, further lowering the rating. The inclusion of added sugars, such as sugar and glucose syrup, significantly impacts the score, as these contribute to the product’s overall sugar content. More concerning is the presence of cane syrup, which we categorize under more harmful added sugars due to its processing and impact on health.

The product also contains artificial flavor and soy lecithin, which are considered potentially harmful additives. Artificial flavor, in particular, is a known harmful additive and is a critical factor in the evaluation process. This ingredient alone accounts for a substantial deduction, compounded by the fact that artificial flavors are often linked to negative health outcomes.

Moreover, Werther’s Original Caramel Hard Candies list artificial flavor twice in the scoring deductions, emphasizing the severity of this ingredient’s impact on the product’s overall healthfulness. This repetition is due to the specific emphasis we place on the avoidance of high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, which are ingredients consumers are increasingly trying to eliminate from their diets.

The 1/5 green leaf rating serves as a clear indicator that Werther’s Original Caramel Hard Candies do not align with the cleaner, healthier food options that our website advocates for. For those seeking alternatives, we recommend exploring other products that prioritize organic ingredients, avoid GMOs, and exclude harmful additives and added sugars.