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.
Lower concern
Higher concern
Lower concern
Higher concern
click for details
click for details
click for details
Read our full methodology
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 calculates that this product is 24% sugar by weight and contains 1 teaspoons of added and natural sugar per serving [read more]
The nutrition factors used for scoring Heinz Simply Heinz Tomato Ketchup
Positive factors
Fruit, vegetable, bean or nut content
Negative factors
Sugar/low-calorie sweetener content
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]
This product has 1 ingredient with concerns:
- Natural Flavor
This additive is of lower concern in food. Learn why.
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 low processing concerns
Products with low processing concerns generally have few artificial ingredients, more ingredients that are either whole foods or are minimally processed, and fewer ingredients overall.
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 lower concern
EWG calculates that this product is 24% sugar by weight and contains 1 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).
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.
Product has been classified as having low processing concerns
Natural vs. Artificial Flavors
EWG's Good Food On A Tight Budget
EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticide in Produce
Children's Cereal: Sugar by the Pound
Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change + Health
From the Package
TOMATO CONCENTRATE FROM RED RIPE TOMATOES, DISTILLED VINEGAR, CANE SUGAR, SALT, ONION POWDER, SPICE, NATURAL FLAVORING.
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.
FAQs
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.
What is the best food database? ›
FooDB is the world's largest and most comprehensive resource on food constituents, chemistry and biology. It provides information on both macronutrients and micronutrients, including many of the constituents that give foods their flavor, color, taste, texture and aroma.
How to check if food is healthy? ›
Next time you're trying to figure out some quick ways to determine if your food is nutritious, pay attention to these 11 factors.
- 1) Read the ingredient list. ...
- 2) Look at how long the ingredient list is. ...
- 3) Pay attention to types of fats. ...
- 4) Look for "100%" ...
- 5) Consider convenience. ...
- 6) Look at the expiration date.
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.
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 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 ...
Who is the most accurate source of nutrition information? ›
Trustworthy Sources
- US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Information Center. ...
- The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND). ...
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ...
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Yuka is a free mobile app that allows you to scan the barcodes of food and personal care products and instantly see their impact on your health. A rating and detailed information help you understand the analysis of each product.
What is the best website to check food nutrition? ›
Nutrition.gov serves as a gateway to reliable information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety for consumers.
What are the 5 most processed foods to avoid? ›
Here is a short list of some unhealthy processed foods to avoid:
- Sugary beverages such as sweetened coffee and tea, energy drinks and soft drinks.
- Deli meats, hot dogs and sausages.
- Frozen pizza and frozen meals.
- Packaged snacks such as chips, cookies, crackers and baked goods.
- Most breakfast cereals.
- Canned or instant soups.
1. Processed Meats Like Bacon, Hot Dogs, and Cold Cuts. Processed meats like bologna, ham, and bacon are high in calories and salt and are linked to increased risk of heart disease due to their impact on cholesterol and blood pressure, says Julia Zumpano, RD, registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Is coffee a processed food? ›
Some types of coffee are more processed than others i.e filter coffee vs. instant coffee. Also there are many coffee products available commercially in supermarkets (such as iced coffee) and also many cafes, which have added syrups, sugars and other ingredients that have been processed.
What site is better than EWG? ›
Top 7 Competitors & Alternatives to ewg.org
The closest competitor to ewg.org are heb.com, incidecoder.com and skinsafeproducts.com. To understand more about ewg.org and its competitors, sign up for a free account to explore Semrush's Traffic Analytics and Market Explorer tools.
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 ...
Do companies pay for EWG ratings? ›
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 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.
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.
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.
EWG calculates that this product is 24% sugar by weight and contains 1 teaspoons of added and natural sugar per serving [read more]
Product has been classified as having low processing concerns