Point Deductions
Grocery Items
Added Sugar 5 or 10
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-calcium-lactate-1
Calcium Lactate 1
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-home
Organic Cane Sugar 5
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-organic-vegetable-oils
Natural Flavors 10
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-maltodextrin-2
Salt Source 10
​https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-organic
Sea Salt 0 - 10
​https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-salt-source
Sodium Too High 5
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https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-salt-1
Tri-Calcium Phosphate 1
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-sunflower-oil-1
Vitamins & Minerals 1
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-vitamin-d
Organic Carnauba Wax - No Deductions
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-organic-dextrose
Organic Dextrose - No Deductions
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-organic-cane-sugar
Organic Vegetable Oils - No Deductions
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-sunflower-oil-5
Organic Yeast Extract - No Deductions
https://cleaningredients.wixsite.com/deductions/copy-of-organic-cane-sugar-1
Sugar
1 - 10-point CI ranking deduction for using added sugars. This excludes natural sugars that are inherently found in foods such as fruits (fructose) and milk (lactose).
Ranking Methodology:
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The daily Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) is 50 grams (12 teaspoons).
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CI's threshold per serving is 25% of the DRI (50g ÷ 25% = 12.5g).
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12.5g per serving is CI's benchmark for calculating deductions.
10-point deduction:
1. The added sugar exceeds 12.5g per serving, or
2. The added sugar is 25% or more of the serving size. For example: 10g added sugar divided by the total serving size of 32g = 31%. Added sugar is 31% of the serving size.
5-point deduction:
1. The added sugar is between 5g - 12.4g per serving, or
2. The added sugar is between 5% - 24% of the serving size. For example: 5g added sugar divided by the total serving size of 32g = 16%. Added sugar is 16% of the serving size.
1-point deduction
1. The added sugar is less than 5g per serving, or
2. The added sugar is under 5% of the serving size. For example: 1g added sugar divided by the total serving size of 32g = 3%. Added sugar is 3% of the serving size.
No Deduction:
1. If the added sugars do not come from refined white sugar but from natural sources (e.g., coconut, honey, dates, maple, etc.).
2. If the added sugars come from healthy store-bought alternatives and do exceed 12.5g per serving and/or 25% or more of the serving size (see CI's web page for packaged sweeteners).
Salt
Although the rating is not ideal, this product is a better choice than conventional alternatives.
Wholesome and clean ingredients. Minimally processed.
An organic, vegan, and vegetarian pasta sauce made in Sicily with 100% Italian ingredients. A clean-label product with minimal processing and no synthetic additives.
High quality. This seasoning mix is clean, organic, and free from artificial additives, preservatives, or flavor enhancers like MSG.
Overall, this product is a much better choice than conventional alternatives.
1 - 10-point CI ranking deduction for high salt content.
Ranking Methodology:
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The salt used is table salt (NaCl).
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The daily Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) is 2,000 milligrams.
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CI's threshold per serving is 25% of the DRI (2,000mg ÷ 25% = 500mg).
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500mg (1/16 teaspoon) per serving is CI's benchmark for calculating deductions.
10-point deduction:
1. The salt content exceeds 500mg per serving, or
2. The salt content is 25% or more of the serving size. For example: 200mg salt content divided by the total serving size of 600mg = 33%. Salt is 33% of the serving size.
5-point deduction:
1. The salt content is between 100mg - 499mg per serving, or
2. The salt content is between 5% - 24% or more of the serving size. For example: 100mg salt content divided by the total serving size of 600mg = 17%. Salt is 17% of the serving size.
1-point deduction:
1. The salt content is less than 100mg per serving, or
2. The salt content is under 5% of the serving size. For Example: 25mg salt content divided by the total serving size of 600mg = 4%. Salt is 4% of the serving size.
No Deduction:
1. If the salt does not come from table salt but from natural sources (e.g., herbs, spices, vegetable powder, etc.).
2. If the salt comes from healthy store-bought alternatives and does not exceed 500mg per serving and/or 25% or more of the serving size. Examples of healthier alternatives include Redmond salt, Himalayan salt, Sea salt, etc. (see CI's web page for sweeteners).
Deductions
15g added sugar > 12.5g which is 25% of the 50g DRI (10-point deduction). Each serving is 30g (15 pieces). 50% of each serving is added sugar (this also qualifies for the 10-point deduction). That equates to 3 2/3 teaspoons for each serving.
Licorice
Added Sugars:
No deduction: The 5g added sugars do not come from refined white sugar but from natural sources used for flavor and sweetness (
The low amount (1g) reflects a minimal inclusion, consistent with the product’s health-focused branding.
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The 5g of added sugar falls below the recommended threshold of 12.5g per serving.
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The 15g of added sugar exceeds the recommended threshold of 12.5g per serving.
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Organic Sugar Source:
5-point deduction: There is a lack of transparency regarding the sugar source. It is likely derived from organic cane or beet sugar (sucrose), added to enhance the flavor profile. The low amount (1g) reflects a minimal inclusion, consistent with the product’s health-focused branding.
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10-point deduction: Lacks organic certification. It is chemically identical to refined white sugar (sucrose) and poses the same health risks when consumed in excess, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dental issues.
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5-point deduction: It is chemically identical to refined white sugar (sucrose) and poses the same health risks when consumed in excess, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dental issues. The "organic" label means it's derived from sugarcane grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs, and is minimally processed.
Licorice
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10-point deduction: A catch-all definition which may consist of one or multiple undisclosed substances, including hundreds of chemicals, solvents, MSG derivatives, artificial preservatives, processing agents - many of which are synthetic.
Licorice
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Organic Certification:
10-point deduction: Some ingredients are not listed as organic (
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10-point deduction: The salt should not be regular table salt, but rather a healthier alternative such as Redmond salt, Sea salt, or Himalayan salt. Because the salt source is not disclosed, CI assumes the salt used is table salt.
Licorice
Salt:
No deduction: The sole source of the 30mg of salt is Pink Himalayan Salt. The low amount (30g) reflects a minimal inclusion, consistent with the product’s health-focused branding.
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Sea Salt:
No deduction: Analysis suggests sea salt’s risks are manageable with moderation, but a low-sodium alternative could enhance the product’s health profile. This product contains 85mg, which is 4% of the 2,000mg daily Recommended Dietary Allowance. Even though the source is sea salt, it exceeds the 500mg per serving threshold.
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Sea Salt:
5-point deduction: Analysis suggests sea salt’s risks are manageable with moderation, but a low-sodium alternative could enhance the product’s health profile. This product contains 85mg, which is 4% of the 2,000mg daily Recommended Dietary Allowance. Even though the source is sea salt, it exceeds the 500mg per serving threshold.
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Soy Products:
10-point deduction: Click here for further information regarding the harmful health effects of soy.
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No deduction for organic vegetable oil (read why).
Licorice p3
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No deduction for organic carnauba wax (read why).
Licorice p3
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Final Thoughts:
Although the rating is not ideal, this product is a better choice than conventional alternatives.
Licorice
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Although the rating is not ideal, this product is a better choice than conventional alternatives.
Wholesome and clean ingredients. Minimally processed. An organic, vegan, and vegetarian pasta sauce made in Sicily with 100% Italian ingredients. A clean-label product with minimal processing and no synthetic additives.
High quality. This seasoning mix is clean, organic, and free from artificial additives, preservatives, or flavor enhancers like MSG.
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One of the cleanest tortilla chips commercially available. No deductions for using organic vegetable oil (read why).
Chip chia quinoa
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Overall, most of the ingredients are clean. This product is a much better choice than conventional alternatives.
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Absent the use of soybean oil, this product would attain the highest possible rating.
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Even though the sugar content is moderately high, the sugar source is organic raw coconut sugar, which is arguably the best form of added sugar available.