With over 40,000 products in the average supermarket, people don't have time (or the money) to test every product on the shelves – so we do it for you!

Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!

Each product is judged and taste-tested based on the following seven criteria:

1. (30 points) Taste: The most important attribute of any food

2. (20 points) Value: Is it worth it?

3. (15 points) Health: Based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?

4. (15 points) Ingredients: What's in it, how natural is it?

5. (10 points) Preparation: When applicable, how accurate or good are the directions?*

6. (5 points) Appearance: Is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description?

7. (5 points) Packaging: Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as reseal ability, added freshness, better storage, etc?

*Products that do not require any preparation will have the full value of these points included in their total score.

Smucker’s Organic Orange Marmalade

Organics are a growing trend and not just for the small, natural food companies. The bigger name brands are going organic and it's a smart move for brands like Smucker’s. And why? They are following the $$! Sales data from The Nielsen Company shows that marmalade/preserves are up 3.2% in dollar sales in the 52 weeks ended June 6, 2007, doing much better than the overall jams/jellies category which fell by 0.6% in dollar sales. You’ll love the fact that this product doesn’t contain artificial ingredients and most important – there is no high fructose corn syrup. You’ll be an orange lover – chock-full of little orange peels give it a strong (and great) flavor. Retails for $3.59-$3.69/12 oz glass jar.

The J.M. Smucker Co.
Orrville, Ohio
1-888-550-9555
www.smuckers.com

Organic essn Energy Pomegranate Limeflower

Finally, an energy drink that doesn’t contain ingredients that scare us! Since beverages like Red Bull were introduced, the beverage market has had more than enough versions of energy drinks flooding the market, claiming to provide extreme boosts of energy, and many of them containing synthetic ingredients. At least with this product being USDA certified organic, you can feel better about the ingredients knowing that it’s an all natural product. Made with organic green tea and yerba mate, this drink is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. It still has that bitter energy drink taste, but served very cold it’s not as harsh as others out there. Makes a great cocktail mixer as well. Retails for $1.99/12-oz can.

SKYLARHALEY
Pleasanton, California
1-866-759-5274
www.drinkessn.com

Athenos Whole Wheat Baked Pita Chips

Many companies now are making snack foods with zero trans fats, which is a good thing. In addition, this product can claim to be 50% less in fat than most brands of potato chips. And with no cholesterol or saturated fat, that makes this a healthier chip than most. Still contains some preservatives, and it’s a little high in sodium (270 mg per serving), but all around not bad for you as long as you don’t eat the whole bag at once. For flavor, we have to say they are for “salt lovers” only!

Kraft Foods
1-800-343-1976
www.athenos.com

Caramel Sin Cinnamon Raisin Fool

This breakfast spread is simplicity at its best. In fact, there are only six ingredients in this spread: water, golden raisins, currants, cinnamon, vanilla, and annatto. There are no added sugars or sweeteners, fats, or salt, so the taste is fruity, not sugary. You can feel great starting your morning off with this healthy spread on your toast and bagels. Each tablespoon contains only 20 calories, less than half that of your average jam. We’re just not sure that consumers will shell out $9.95 for an 11-oz jar.

Caramel Sin, Sherman Oaks, California
1-818-464-3722
www.caramelsin.com