New Product Reviews
Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!
Weight Watchers Cream Cheese Spread Individuals
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 27 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 90 |
This product is a HIT!
Not only do we love the portion control aspect of this new product from Weight Watchers, but surprisingly we also love the taste! We say "surprisingly" because we're used to the gummy taste and texture of other low-fat cream cheese options and we're happy to say it's missing from this one. They've done a nice job with this product; there is a faint aftertaste, probably because it contains inulin, but it's not at all unpleasant. Our one criticism is that while they are touting that the product is pre-biotic on the package they don't explain what "pre-biotic" actually means – and we want consumers to get the info they need. Available in larger packages as well. Retails for $3.29 for 8 individual 1 oz cups.
Schreiber Foods, Inc
Green Bay , WI
800 344 0333
Del Monte Healthy Kids Enriched Peach Chunks
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 25 | 17 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 85 |
This new product from Del Monte is setting our teeth on edge, not to mention giving them cavities; fruit is so naturally high in sugar to begin with, is it really necessary to add this much, resulting in 14g OF SUGARS per half a cup serving? Having said that, the peaches are nice and crispy and don't have an overly sugary taste. Keep in mind the vitamins are in the syrup, so if you're thinking of cutting back on the sugar by draining the liquid you'll also be draining most of the enriching additives. However this product looks great and tastes great and we'd like to see it individual portions so you don't have to deal with leftovers. Available in other flavors. Retails for $1.88 / 15 oz can.
Del Monte Foods
San Francisco, CA
800 543 3090
Maxxed Energy Pop
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 20 | 19 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 79 |
By putting this new Energy Pop in an individual can the makers are trying to build on the Redbull phenomenon – and in their effort to be cute they are ignoring everything we are trying to do to save Mother Earth! Like most energy drinks this pop has a putrid color and unlike most energy drinks this actually tastes good – due to the high levels of sugar and corn syrup in the ingredients. The question is whether or not a beverage can deliver the "rush" from Taurine, caffeine and Ginseng etc, better than licking a lolly pop for 15 or 20 minutes. The product states that it's not for kids and if you take it to the gym you might have a nasty accident – so we're wondering just who is this product is meant for? Retails for $1 / pop.
Charms, LLC
Covington, TN
773 838 3400
Everybody’s Nuts California Pistachios Salt and Pepper Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 25 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 76 |
We've been watching this brand for the last couple of years and while it is a clever gimmick to promote "Big, Open Pistachios" with the guarantee that every pistachio will be open, the reality is the product has to do a lot more. These pistachios are at least twice as expensive as other brands, but that's not even what bothers us most – which is that the flavor itself is very misleading: "Salt and Pepper" gives the impression that all that is added is salt and pepper – so to find sugar and other flavors added is disappointing – especially as it's not even a sweet flavor! We'd also like to see the plastic bag re-sealable for optimum freshness. Available in other flavors. Retails for between $2.99 and $3.99 / 7 oz package.
Everybody’s Nuts
Lost Hills , CA
Morning Star Farms Veggie Cakes
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 15 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 74 |
Here's a new product for all the vegetarians out there – but right off the bat we have a problem with this one – aren't most people choosing a vegetarian diet for health reasons? Well, one look at this ingredient list with all the unpronounceable items and you might be thinking this product is the antithesis of "healthy" ... frankly, when we think of a vegan or vegetarian diet we don't think of chemicals. The taste of the cakes is very bland, with only a hint of teriyaki (in this case, probably a good thing) and you can't taste the ginger. There's much more of a rice taste than vegetable; with carrots as the 4th ingredient they seem to be making an appearance for color only - perhaps if they renamed the product "Rice and Soy Cakes" it would be more realistic. Also available in Southwestern Style. Retails for approx $3/ 4 cakes (9.06 oz).
Kellogg Sales Co
Battle Creek, MI
800 962 0120
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.
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