I’ve been reading labels. My family asked me to find some Ranch dressing. Here are the brands and varieties I found in the store (of just Ranch dressing!). I’m thankful that we live in a land of plenty and that we have a lot of choices, but I wonder if there are any real choices.
After reading the labels from various brand names, it was hard to find a Ranch dressing that I could gladly take home to my family–preservatives–artificial flavors–artificial sweeteners–chemical dyes–and other ingredients of concern.
Of the many varieties of Ranch dressing, I found they all contained high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) except for Hidden Valley Organic Ranch, Kraft Three Cheese Ranch, and Otts Ranch.
I also found that they all contained monosodium glutamate (MSG) except for Clearly Organic Ranch (Best Choice), Hidden Valley Organic Ranch, Kraft Three Cheese Ranch, and Otts Ranch.
Only 3 out of 15 passed the test. And sad to say, the Hidden Valley Organic Ranch had an extra twangy taste that didn’t taste like the usual “Ranch” flavor. Still, the health of my family should rule over taste.
SEE THE MAIN SITE OF GLENN GOHR’S WEBLOG:
http://glenngohr.wordpress.com
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Posted by Cynthia1770 on December 28, 2007 at 2:05 am
Hi Glenn,
I picked up your article on a google alert for HFCS. Thank you for your list of “aliases” for MSG. HFCS has invaded our food supply as you have clearly listed the many products tainted with the industrial sweetener. Courtesy of the Corn Refiners Assoc., go to http://www.corn.org/NSFC2006.pdf P29-30 list all the foods and products that contain HFCS. A few surprises even for me: bagels, bacon, cough syrups. StopHFCS.com lists foods that are HFCS-free. They welcome additions and suggestions. European import stores are a good bet. Europe prohibits genetically modified foods (GMO) which safely eliminates HFCS. Take care.
Posted by ashi on December 28, 2007 at 6:51 am
hey thanks for providing the information. As many times we just eat food without knowing what does it contain or its nutritional value. But Iguess this will help us to maintain ourself.
Posted by P Campbell on January 14, 2008 at 1:35 am
Never send a man shopping;) Seriously, I never used to read labels. When I found out I had Celiac disease, I was forced to start reading every label. What amazes me is the many products that wheat and gluten can be found in–products you would never suspect contained these things.
Posted by Melissa on July 14, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Thank you so much for this information on ranch dressing. My daughters had ranch at school last week and came home asking for it. My husband bought the store brand which contained HFCS! I went to Hidden Valley’s website to find out if they also include it in their dressing. The ingredient list is not available online. You saved me some searching at the store. I’m going to look for ranch at Trader Joe’s.
Posted by Ana on August 3, 2008 at 4:30 pm
yes, i read about msg, its really bad. i would say its the perfect secret for a food seller to become rich. some time ago i stoped eatting anything that had msg or aspartame i simple stoped having craves. msg makes our apetite increase a lot.
Unfortunatly even nutritionist in my country dont even know about that and keep saying to people eat light products and other fulled with msg.
Posted by Melissa Marks on October 31, 2008 at 1:39 am
I just found your web-site while doing recipes research and decided to write to you about my salad dressing products.
My husband Richard and I have a Los Angles based “ma & pa” salad dressing company called Sis’ Meliss Family Recipes. We specialize in developing our own families healthy and delicious recipes. Made with ONLY the purest of ingredients like Extra Virgin Olive Oil (NO Canola oil used), no added sugars and kept low-sodium as well!
We created this business to be able to provide people with a much healthier alternative than what you see in your supermarkets. Right now we are only in the Southern California Whole Foods stores and a few ma & pa locations of New Leaf Markets in Santa Cruz, CA. However we do sell it privately by the case.
Please feel free to check us out on the web at: http://www.sismeliss.com – If you are interested, I would be happy to send you a bottle for sampling!
Thank you,
Melissa Marks
Posted by Marthanne Theel on April 21, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I have been searching for low sodium ranch dressings for my boyfriend who is supposed to limit his sodium. I checked out the website of Follow Your Heart and looked at their salad dressings. Their brand is carried at a couple health food co-ops by me, so I am going to purchase one. Just thought I’d mention that brand.
Posted by Laura on October 20, 2009 at 3:06 am
Country Ranch The Family Ranch seasoning mix a clean product sold in Whole Foods LV NV. Also on the salad bars in LV NV is a dairy-free ranch in 7 flavors. You may order online for the seasoning mix.