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.
Contains food additives of higher concern
Contains 4 of EWG's top food additives of concern: RED 40 LAKE, BHT, SOYBEAN OIL (WITH TBHQ), and TBHQ
Ingredient(s) likely derived from antibiotic-treated animals [read more]
One or more ingredients in this product derived from animals likely treated with antibiotics. Many animals are fed low doses of antibiotics throughout their lifespan to speed growth and prevent diseases. These non-essential uses promote antibiotic resistance, posing a serious risk to human health.
Ingredient(s) derived from animals that may have been treated with hormones and/or growth promoters [read more]
This food contains fats derived from animals that were possibly treated with antibiotics and artificial growth promoters.
Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Palm Oil, Canola Oil, and Canola [read more]
Both refined oils and fully hydrogenated oils contain small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats and contribute to the total intake of trans fat in the diet (Biofortis 2014). Artificial trans fats are generated in refined oils when they are processed at high temperatures from the crude oil into a bland, odorless, colorless oil (Greyt 1999). A 2012 study conducted by FDA scientists estimated that refined oil contributes an average 0.6 grams of trans fat a day (Doell 2012). The World Health Organization recommends limits on trans fat of less than 1 to 2 grams a day—in this context, it’s easy to see that 0.6 grams is not an insignificant contribution. In the case of fully hydrogenated oils, they should theoretically be free of trans fat, but since no hydrogenation process is 100 percent efficient, trans fats are often found in fully hydrogenated oils at low levels (FDA 2013). The United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrition Database has tested refined, partially hydrogenated and fully hydrogenated oils and found trans fats in all of them (USDA 2013).Textbooks for food scientists reveal that the mono and di-glycerides and other emulsifiers are often made from hydrogenated fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008) and at temperatures above 220°C (Sikorski and Kolakowka 2011). Emulsifiers produced from hydrogenated fats “contain measurable concentrations" of trans fats (Hasenhuettl and Hartel 2008).Unfortunately, due to lack of label disclosure and the trans fat labeling loophole, only the food scientists will ever know just how much trans fat these refined oils and emulsifiers are contributing to foods and the American diet.
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.
This product contains added sugar ingredients: Corn Syrup, Sugars, and Molasses [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).
Product has been classified as having high 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
CHEESE CRACKERS (ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN MONONITRATE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), FOLIC ACID], SOYBEAN AND PALM OIL WITH TBHQ FOR FRESHNESS, CHEESE MADE WITH SKIM MILK [SKIM MILK, WHEY PROTEIN, SALT, CHEESE CULTURES, ENZYMES, ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR], SALT, PAPRIKA, YEAST, PAPRIKA EXTRACT COLOR, SOY LECITHIN), CORN SQUARES (CORN MEAL, SUGAR, MOLASSES, BAKING SODA, BHT FOR FRESHNESS), BREAD SLICES (ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN MONONITRATE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), FOLIC ACID], BLEACHED AND ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN MONONITRATE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), FOLIC ACID], CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, CORN SYRUP, NONFAT MILK, WHEY, LEAVENING [YEAST, BAKING SODA, AND/OR AMMONIUM BICARBONATE], CITRIC ACID, CALCIUM CITRATE), PRETZELS (ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN B1 (THIAMIN MONONITRATE), VITAMIN B2 (RIBOFLAVIN), FOLIC ACID], SALT, CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, CORN SYRUP, BARLEY MALT EXTRACT, LEAVENING [YEAST, BAKING SODA, AMMONIUM BICARBONATE]), CRUNCHY CURLS (DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN MEAL, VEGETABLE OIL [CORN, CANOLA AND/OR SOYBEAN], MALTODEXTRIN, SUGAR, SALT, VINEGAR POWDER [MALTODEXTRIN, VINEGAR, MODIFIED CORN STARCH], SPICE, CITRIC ACID, GARLIC POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORS, PAPRIKA EXTRACT COLOR, ANNATTO EXTRACT COLOR), SOYBEAN OIL (WITH TBHQ FOR FRESHNESS). CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF MALTODEXTRIN, GARLIC POWDER, SALT, SUGAR, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE, SODIUM DIACETATE, CHILI PEPPER POWDER, DRY HOT SAUCE (RED PEPPERS, VINEGAR, SALT, GARLIC), NATURAL FLAVOR, CITRIC ACID, VINEGAR SOLIDS, PAPRIKA EXTRACT COLOR, RED 40 LAKE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, DISODIUM GUANYLATE.
