EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (2024)

EWG Overall Score Breakdown

The product score is based on weighted scores for nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Generally, nutrition counts most, ingredient concerns next and degree of processing least. The weighted scores are added together to determine the final score.Read more about scores here.


EWG scored on three factors: nutrition, ingredient concerns, and the degree of processing. Read the full scoring methodology.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (1)

Lower concern

N
I
P

Higher concern

Lower concern

Higher concern

1

10

click for details
click for details
click for details

Read our full methodology

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (5)

Considers calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium, protein, fiber and fruit, vegetable and nut content to differentiate between healthful and less healthful foods. For more information on nutrition concerns, read our full methodology.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (6)EWG calculates that this product is 44% sugar by weight and contains 3 teaspoons of added and natural sugar per serving [read more]

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (7)Contains fruit, vegetables, beans or nuts as a primary ingredient [read more]

Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables--especially dark green, red and orange varieties, as well as beans and peas--is an essential part of a healthy diet. You can get your 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day for about the cost of a bus ride in most cities (USDA 2009; EWG 2012). Learn more: http://www.ewg.org/goodfood/Fruit and vegetable intake is associated with reduced risk of heart attack, stroke and some types of cancers (USDA and DHHS 2010). Fruits and vegetables are also key sources of potassium and dietary fiber--nutrients that many Americans do not get enough of. Perhaps that's because on average, Americans eat only 42% and 59% of the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, respectively (USDA and DHHS 2010), making them one of the few foods we should all eat more of.

The nutrition factors used for scoring Welch's Fruit Snacks, Island Fruits

Positive factors

Fruit, vegetable, bean or nut content

Protein content

Fiber content

Omega-3 fatty acids

Negative factors

Calorie density

Sugar/low-calorie sweetener content

Sodium content

Saturated fat content

Trans fat content

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (8)

Considers food additives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics and contaminants like mercury and BPA, which can affect human health and the environment. For more information on ingredient concerns, read methodology.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (9)This product is not certified organic [read more]

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (10)Contains 2 of EWG's top food additives of concern: RED 40 and BLUE 1

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (11)Contains synthetic food dyes [read more]

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (12)This product has 3 ingredients with concerns:

  • Natural and Artificial Flavor
    This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why.
  • TOCOPHEROLS
    This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why.
  • RED 40
    This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (13)

Estimates how much the food has been processed. Considers many factors, chief among them, modification of individual ingredients from whole foods and number of artificial ingredients. For more information on processing concerns, read our full methodology.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (14)Product has been classified as having moderate processing concerns

Products with moderate and high processing concerns generally have more artificial ingredients, more ingredients that have been significantly modified from whole foods, and more ingredients overall.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (15)This product is not certified organic [read more]

Products bearing the USDA certified organic seal must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredient, and must be produced without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and free of genetically engineered ingredients.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (16)Contains food additives of lower concern

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (17)Contains 2 of EWG's top food additives of concern: RED 40 and BLUE 1

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (18)EWG calculates that this product is 44% sugar by weight and contains 3 teaspoons of added and natural sugar per serving [read more]

Eating too much of any type of sugar can lead to tooth decay. Added sugars like high fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar and dextrose are more concerning than natural sugars like raisins because they can lead to obesity by adding calories without being accompanied by important nutrients like potassium, vitamin C or fiber. Americans average 22 teaspoons of added sugar a day (NCI 2010; USDA and DHHS 2010). The World Health Organization recommends no more than 6 to 12 teaspoons of added sugar a day for adults, children should eat even less (WHO 2002; WHO 2014).

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (19)Contains synthetic food dyes [read more]

Health concerns about the use of dyes in children's food has a led to a reduction in usage but these colorants are still common.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (20)Contains the non-specific ingredient "flavor" [read more]

Added "flavors" are secret and often complex mixtures of chemicals that modify and manipulate the taste and smell of food. The lack of disclosure is a public right to know issue and especially concerning to people with unusual food allergies or on restricted diets.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (21)Excellent source of naturally occurring vitamin A [read more]

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that is naturally occurring in dairy, fish, eggs, fish and meat products and, in the form of vitamin A precursors, in orange and yellow vegetables such as carrots and pumpkin. Vitamin A is also frequently added for fortification of packaged food. EWG recommends children and pregnant women limit consumption of highly fortified foods to avoid overexposure since getting too much of certain forms of vitamin A can lead to health problems. Read EWG's report on getting the correct amount of vitamin A, zinc and niacin: http://www.ewg.org/research/how-much-is-too-much

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (22)Product has been classified as having moderate processing concerns

Natural vs. Artificial Flavors

EWG's Good Food On A Tight Budget

EWG's 2014 Shopper's Guide to Avoiding GE Food

Why GE Foods are not "Natural"

EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticide in Produce

From the Package

FRUIT PUREE (GRAPE, PEACH, PEAR, BANANA, MANGO, KIWI, PASSION FRUIT, STRAWBERRY, GRAPEFRUIT AND PINEAPPLE), CORN SYRUP, SUGAR, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, GELATIN, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), ALPHA TOCOPHEROL ACETATE (VITAMINE), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, SODIUM CITRATE, COCONUT OIL, CARNAUBA WAX, ANNATTO (COLOR), TURMERIC (COLOR), RED 40, AND BLUE 1.

Products remain in the database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores. A product with label information last recorded more than a year ago is marked with an * identifying it as an older product.

Products remain in the Database for two years after their label information is recorded in stores, even when they have been discontinued (products may remain in stores and pantries long past the date they cease to be manufactured). EWG marks a product it is aware has been discontinued with a banner identifying it as such.

Please note that EWG obtains the displayed images of products from third parties and that the product's manufacturer or packager may change the product's packaging at any point in time. Therefore, EWG assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of images presented.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (23)This product contains the following ingredient(s) that may be genetically engineered or derived from GE crops: Corn Syrup, Sugars, Modified Starch (Corn), Lactic Acid, Citric Acid, and Sodium Citrates [read more]

Scientists have not determined whether GE food poses risks to human health. Still, consumers have many good reasons to avoid eating genetically engineered ingredients, including limited safety studies, the development of "superweeds" and increased pesticide use. For more information on the topic visit: http://www.ewg.org/research/shoppers-guide-to-avoiding-ge-foodNote: The presence or absence of genetically engineered ingredients or ingredients derived from GE crops does not affect a product's overall score.

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (24)Contains ingredients derived from tree nut - these are considered major food allergens according to the FDA [read more]

While over 160 food ingredients may cause allergic reactions current Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations stipulate that 8 major food allergens must be labeled on products. These allergens include; milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans.Note: The presence of potential allergens does not affect the overall product score.

22.0 servings per container

Amount Per 25.5 g
Calories

80

% Daily Value(based on a 2,000 calorie diet and adult bodyweight)
Update the values for someone:

QUICK FACTS:

0.00.0%Total Fat0 g
7.07.0%Total Carbs19 g
%Protein1 g

AVOID TOO MUCH:

1.01.0%Sodium20 mg
Added Sugar Ingredients: Corn Syrup and Sugars

NUTRIENTS:

Vitamin D (no value on present label)
25.025.0%Vitamin A
25.025.0%Vitamin C
25.025.0%Vitamin E
Potassium (no value on present label)

† Institute of Medicine. 2010. "Dietary Reference Intakes Tables and Application." Accessed April 8, 2014: link

EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (2024)

FAQs

Is EWG food score reliable? ›

The new tool is the most comprehensive food-rating database available to consumers, EWG said. Its scoring system factors in not only nutrition, but also ingredients of concern, such as food additives, and contaminants. It also estimates the degree to which foods have been processed.

How does EWG rating work? ›

EWG's scientists base scores on weighted counts for nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns. Generally, nutrition counts most, ingredient concerns next and degree of processing least.

What are ingredients of concern in food? ›

Potassium bromate has been linked to cancer. Propylparaben has been shown to cause endocrine disruption and reproductive issues in lab animal testing. Red Dye No. 3 has been found to cause cancer and thyroid tumors in lab animals and has been linked to hyperactivity and other neurobehavioral effects in children.

Can you trust the EWG? ›

EWG Verified® recognizes products that meet EWG's strictest standards for your health. This means none of EWG's chemicals of concern. This means full transparency. This means a mark you can trust.

What do dermatologists think of EWG? ›

Zoe Draelos, a consulting professor at the Duke University School of Medicine and spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology, who also tests sunscreen products in her laboratory, applauds the EWG for looking at the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens, but feels the group is making unfair “sweeping ...

Is oatmeal a processed food? ›

Used for oatmeal, rolled oats are lightly processed to make them edible. The oat groats (grain kernels) are steamed, flattened, and dried. They still contain all three parts of the grain—the bran, germ, and endosperm—so they retain all of the fiber and other nutrients.

What are the criticisms of the EWG? ›

According to Kavin Senapathy of Science Moms, the EWG "frightens consumers about chemicals and their safety, cloaking fear mongering in a clever disguise of caring and empowerment." His main criticisms are its use of "fundamentally flawed" methodologies for evaluating food, cosmetics, children's products, and more, and ...

Do companies pay to be on EWG? ›

To fund EWG Verified and EWG Reviewed for Science, companies pay a fee to participate. Q: What is the cost of EWG Reviewed for Science? A: The cost depends on the size of the company, the number of products being assessed and the timeline. Our consultancy engagements range from one month to a year in duration.

Is EWG verified better than a rating? ›

An EWG Verified: For Your Health® mark on a product means that the product goes above and beyond its green rating in EWG's Skin Deep® because the company has disclosed more about its formulations and manufacturing processes.

Is EWG a credible source? ›

The EWG is considered trustworthy insofar as they do good, transparent research on the most important ingredients in public health. There have been claims online by various sources that the EWG tends to slightly overstate the danger of an ingredient, but they do not ever understate danger.

Is EWG Healthy Living legit? ›

The EWG's Healthy Living app was developed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving chemical safety in the US, to provide you with answers. EWG pushes industries to adopt their standards and to say no to harmful chemicals.

Where does the EWG get their data? ›

Where did the data in your database come from? EWG requested water contaminant data from public and environmental health agencies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We then compiled the over 31 million records we received.

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