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Stouffer's Creative Comforts Southwest Style Chicken Panini

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Score Lower scores accompany better foods.
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Lower scores accompany better foods.
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Label for Stouffer's Creative Comforts Southwest Style Chicken Panini captured by LabelINSIGHT on Jan 29, 2020 Tell us if the product name is misspelled.

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 Overall Score Breakdown


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

Score
Lower concern
Higher concern
Lower concern
Higher concern
1
10

Read our full methodology

Nutrition Concern Details

Level

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.

Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Canola Oil [read more]

Excellent source of naturally occurring calcium [read more]

Contains 47% of the Institute of Medicine's daily sodium (salt) recommendations based on adequate intake [read more]

Per gram, high in protein [read more]

Contains 1 added fiber ingredient(s): Oat Fiber [read more]

Contains 1 added fiber ingredient(s): Oat Fiber

This product contains added fiber. Added fiber ingredients can be extracted from industrial byproducts like wood pulp or plant starches, made into a powder and added back into highly processed foods to increase their fiber content and appearance of healthfulness. While there is a long history of studies that confirm the beneficial effects of a high fiber diet rich in fruit, vegetables, beans and whole grains, there is much less data on the potential health benefits of these added fibers and whether the health benefits are preserved once they have been extracted from their original sources (IOM 2001; Jones 2012; Turner and Lupton 2011).

The nutrition factors used for scoring Stouffer's Creative Comforts Southwest Style Chicken Panini
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

Ingredient Concern Details

Level

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.

This product is not certified organic [read more]

Contains 1 of EWG's top food additives of concern: Sodium Nitrite

Antibiotics were likely used in the production of this meat [read more]

Hormones and/or growth promoters were likely used in production of meat ingredients [read more]

Contains 1 ingredient(s) associated with cancer: Sodium Nitrite

This product has 11 ingredients with concerns:

Processing Concern Details

Level

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.

Product has been classified as having high 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 Top Findings

This product is not certified organic [read more]

This product is not certified organic

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 1 of EWG's top food additives of concern: Sodium Nitrite

Antibiotics were likely used in the production of this meat [read more]

Antibiotics were likely used in the production ...

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.

Hormones and/or growth promoters were likely used in production of meat ingredients [read more]

Hormones and/or growth promoters were likely us...

Hormone implants and artificial growth promoters are commonly used to speed the growth of meat animals. These practices are not allowed in Europe due to health concerns.

Contains ingredients that may contribute small amounts of unhealthy artificial trans fats: Canola Oil [read more]

Contains ingredients that may contribute small ...

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]

Contains the non-specific ingredient "flavor"

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.

Excellent source of naturally occurring calcium [read more]

Excellent source of naturally occurring calcium

Calcium is necessary for strong bones and decreasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture. Calcium is also important for healthy muscles and nervous system function.

Contains 47% of the Institute of Medicine's daily sodium (salt) recommendations based on adequate intake [read more]

Contains 47% of the Institute of Medicine's dai...

This product contains a high percentage of the Institute of Medicine's recommended adequate intake for sodium of 1500 mg a day (IOM 2005). This value is much lower than what the FDA requires be listed on food labels -- 2400 mg. Americans average 3,400 mg of sodium a day. Most of this sodium comes from processed foods where sodium is added to mask the lack of freshness by enhancing the flavor, texture or palatability and extending shelf-life (IOM 2010). Many of these uses are for the manufacturers benefit and not the consumer's health as excess sodium intake is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease (IOM 2010).

Contains 1 ingredient(s) associated with cancer: Sodium Nitrite

Per gram, high in protein [read more]

Per gram, high in protein

Protein is a source of amino acids that are required for the proper growth, maintenance and repair of tissues. It also provides the building blocks for important enzymes and hormones. Protein provides calories and if eaten in excess will be stored as fat. Protein is found in high amounts in beans, nuts, eggs, seafood and meat. Protein is essential to health, but eating too much also carries an environmental and health cost. Learn more: http://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/

Product has been classified as having high processing concerns

EWG Food Reports

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

Ingredient List

From the Package

BREAD (ENRICHED FLOUR [WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, REDUCED IRON, NIACIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID], WATER, SUGAR, YEAST, OAT FIBER, SOYBEAN OIL, CULTURED WHEAT STARCH, GRAIN VINEGAR, SALT, WHEAT STARCH, ACETIC ACID, SOY LECITHIN, CITRIC ACID), COOKED GRILL MARKED WHITE MEAT CHICKEN STRIPS (WHITE MEAT CHICKEN, WATER, ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN, MODIFIED RICE STARCH, CHICKEN FLAVOR [DEHYDRATED CHICKEN BROTH, CHICKEN POWDER, NATURAL FLAVOR], SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SALT), PASTEURIZED PROCESS MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (CULTURED MILK, WATER, CREAM, SALT, POTASSIUM CITRATE, SODIUM CITRATE, SODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE, SORBIC ACID [PRESERVATIVE], ENZYMES, LACTIC ACID), WATER, SEASONING (MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, BUTTERMILK POWDER, CHEESE POWDER [SEMI-SOFT CHEESE {CULTURED MILK, SALT, ENZYMES}, SALT, LACTIC ACID], VINEGAR POWDER [MALTODEXTRIN, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, VINEGAR], NONFAT DRY MILK, SPICES, SALT, PAPRIKA, FLAVOR [SESAME OIL, CANOLA OIL, FLAVORING], FLAVOR [PROPYLENE GLYCOL, ALCOHOL, NATURAL FLAVORS], FLAVOR [SOYBEAN OIL, NATURAL BUTTER FLAVOR, TURMERIC, ANNATTO], XANTHAN GUM, LEMON JUICE POWDER [CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, LEMON JUICE SOLIDS, FLAVORS], FLAVOR [CONTAINS CANOLA OIL], NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR), COOKED BACON (BACON CURED WITH WATER, SALT, SUGAR, DEXTROSE, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE), SEASONING (SOYBEAN OIL, SALT, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, TURMERIC, ANNATTO), 2% OR LESS OF MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, NATURAL FLAVORS.

*Older Product

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.

*Discontinued 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.

Product Images

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.

Other Information

Environmental Impact: Contains chicken, which has a lower carbon footprint compared to other meats. [read more]

Environmental Impact: Contains chicken, which h...

Compared to other meats, chicken production generates the lowest amount of greenhouse gases. To learn more about the climate impacts of meat production read: http://www.ewg.org/meateatersguide/ Note: The potential climate impact of a particular food is not factored into a product's overall score.

This product contains the following ingredient(s) that may be genetically engineered or derived from GE crops: Soy Protein Isolate, Corn Syrup Solids, Canola Oil, Sugars, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Modified Food Starch, Xanthan Gum, Modified Starch (Corn), Lecithin (Soy), Lactic Acid, Potassium Citrate, Citric Acid, and Sodium Citrates [read more]

This product contains the following ingredient(...

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-food Note: The presence or absence of genetically engineered ingredients or ingredients derived from GE crops does not affect a product's overall score.

Environmental Impact: Contains pork, which has a higher carbon footprint relative to chicken, eggs and plant proteins.

Contains ingredients derived from milk, wheat or soybean - these are considered major food allergens according to the FDA [read more]

Contains ingredients derived from milk, wheat o...

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.

Nutrition Facts

1.0 servings per container

Serving Size

1 PACKAGE

Amount Per 170 g
Calories
400
% Daily Value (based on a 2,000 calorie diet and adult bodyweight)
Update the values for someone:

QUICK FACTS:

25.0 25.0 % Total Fat 16 g
14.0 14.0 % Total Carbs 42 g
Sugars 4 g
44.0 44.0 % Protein 22 g

AVOID TOO MUCH:

35.0 35.0 % Saturated Fat 7 g
Trans Fat 0.0g
15.0 15.0 % Cholesterol 45 mg
29.0 29.0 % Sodium 700 mg
Added Sugar Ingredients: Corn Syrup Solids, Sugars, and Dextrose

NUTRIENTS:

8.0 8.0 % Dietary Fiber 2 g
Vitamin D (no value on present label)
0.0 0.0 % Vitamin A
0.0 0.0 % Vitamin C
20.0 20.0 % Calcium
15.0 15.0 % Iron
Potassium (no value on present label)

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

 

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