EWG's Food Scores just took the work out of grocery shopping for me! (2024)

FAQs

How to check if food is healthy? ›

Food labels on processed foods

Looking at food labels can help you choose between processed foods and check the calorie, saturated fat, salt and sugar content (nutrition content). Most pre-packed foods have the nutrition information on the packaging.

How are scores determined? 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. The scores in combination determine the total product score.

The Food Grade translates a number called a "food score," determined by a math equation, into a letter ranking or "Food Grade." Most food scores will vary from -5 (less healthy) to +5 (more healthy) for serving sizes listed on the Nutrition Facts panel.

Used for oatmeal, rolled oats are lightly processed to make them edible. The oat groats (grain kernels) are steamed, flattened, and dried. They still contain all three parts of the grain—the bran, germ, and endosperm—so they retain all of the fiber and other nutrients.

That means peanut butter, bread, canned tomatoes, frozen fruit, cut vegetables, yogurt, and canned tuna are all considered processed foods. Additionally, heating, pasteurizing, canning, fermenting, and drying are all considered forms of processing.

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.

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.

Who runs EWG? ›

It's this belief that inspired our president and co-founder, Ken Cook, to create EWG. Since 1993, we've worked tirelessly to protect public health.

Grades A and B signify few or no violations while grades of C, D or F represent restaurants that have enough violations to be considered serious. These restaurants are often give citations, fined, or sometimes shut down.

Grades "B," "C," and “D” contain increasing amounts of product with less desirable characteristics in appearance and/or edibility. Substandard grade may contain an unlimited amount of these less desirable characteristics, but is still edible food.

Think back to high school geometry. Just like all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares, every food-safe material is food-grade, but not all food-grade materials are food-safe. Food-safe material is safe to come into contact with food, while food-grade material is only safe when used appropriately.

If your food choices are based solely on calories, you're missing the point of healthy eating. As a general rule, try to mostly eat foods that are high in nutrients like protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. These foods include veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, fatty fish, and eggs.

Read food labels and avoid items that are high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. Plan ahead and prepare healthy snacks and meals at home made from whole, fresh foods such as fruits and vegetables. Choose lean meats fish and seafood and plant-based proteins.

Leftovers should be consumed within two to three days of refrigerating. Perishable foods left unrefrigerated for more than two hours should be discarded. If a food item looks, smells or tastes spoiled—even if the expiration date says it's OK—err on the side of caution, and throw it out or compost it.