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Birch Benders Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, 4 Oz

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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: Palm Oil [read more]

Contains low calorie sweeteners: Erythritol and Stevia Extract [read more]

Contains a high level of saturated fat [read more]

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

Contains 1 added fiber ingredient(s): Inulin

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 Birch Benders Double Chocolate Chip Cookies, 4 Oz
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]

Ingredient(s) likely derived from antibiotic-treated animals [read more]

Ingredient(s) derived from animals that may have been treated with hormones and/or growth promoters [read more]

This product has 4 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 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 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 lower concern

Ingredient(s) likely derived from antibiotic-treated animals [read more]

Ingredient(s) likely derived from antibiotic-tr...

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]

Ingredient(s) derived from animals that may hav...

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 [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.

Contains low calorie sweeteners: Erythritol and Stevia Extract [read more]

Contains low calorie sweeteners: Erythritol and...

Low calorie sweeteners were designed to impart a sweet taste without the calories or glucose effects of sugar. However there is insufficient evidence that they reduce overall calorie intake, aid with weight loss or improve overall health (Gardner 2014; Shankar 2013). Instead low calorie sweeteners may condition people to crave sweet foods (Mattes 2009) and therefore eat fewer servings of healthy foods (IOM 2007). The IOM recommends that schools not serve diet foods or beverages to young children (IOM 2007). In the meantime EWG concludes that people should limit their consumption of sugar and low calorie sweeteners, advice echoed by other nutrition experts (Swithers 2013; Shankar 2013).

Contains a high level of saturated fat [read more]

Contains a high level of saturated fat

Saturated fat is not an essential nutrient and with increasing intakes there is a increased risk of coronary heart disease (IOM 2005a; USDA and DHHS 2010). For this reason it has long been known as a "bad" fat that raises the "bad" cholesterol, LDL. Numerous authoritative bodies support the recommendation to limit saturated fat to 10 percent of calories -- equivalent to a reasonable limit of 14 slices of bacon's worth of saturated fat a day (WHO 2002; USDA and DHHS 2010). A 2012 review by the Cochrane Collaboration, an independent non-profit organization, found that reducing or replacing saturated fat with other healthy fats reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 14 percent (Hooper 2012). Other recent reviews have found that there in no evidence of a benefit from reducing saturated fat (Chowdhury 2014; Schwingshackl & Hoffmann 2014). While it's clear that we still have a lot to learn about how fats behave and contribute to disease, the evidence supporting a moderate level of saturated fat consumption remains strong and consistent.

Product has been classified as having moderate processing concerns

Ingredient List

From the Package

ALMOND FLOUR, ERYTHRITOL, BUTTER (CREAM, NATURAL FLAVOR), CHOCOLATE CHIPS (UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE, INULIN, ERYTHRITOL, COCOA BUTTER, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN, NATURAL FLAVOR, STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT), PALM OIL, COCOA POWDER (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), EGGS, 2% OR LESS OF SALT, TAPIOCA FIBER, NATURAL FLAVOR, VANILLA EXTRACT, BAKING SODA, GUAR GUM, XANTHAN GUM, STEVIA LEAF EXTRACT, MIXED TOCOPHEROLS (TO PRESERVE FRESHNESS)

*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

This product contains the following ingredient(s) that may be genetically engineered or derived from GE crops: Erythritol and Xanthan Gum [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 eggs, which have a lower carbon footprint than meat.

Contains ingredients derived from egg and milk - these are considered major food allergens according to the FDA [read more]

Contains ingredients derived from egg and milk ...

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

4.0 servings per container

Serving Size

2 Cookies (28g)

Amount Per 28.0 g
Calories
120

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

QUICK FACTS:

14.0 14.0 % Total Fat 11 g
4.0 4.0 % Total Carbs 12 g
Sugars 0 g
% Protein 2 g

AVOID TOO MUCH:

20.0 20.0 % Saturated Fat 4 g
Trans Fat 0.0g
5.0 5.0 % Cholesterol 15 mg
6.0 6.0 % Sodium 135 mg
Added Sugar Ingredients: none listed

NUTRIENTS:

11.0 11.0 % Dietary Fiber 3 g
Vitamin D (no value on present label)
2.0 2.0 % Calcium
8.0 8.0 % Iron
2.0 2.0 % Potassium 120 mg

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

 

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