BREAKING UPDATE May 4, 2015: Panera Bread has agreed to remove 150 additives from their food. Starting this week, Panera Bread will only sell salad dressing made without artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors and preservatives. This is the direct result of the ongoing pressure you and the Food Babe Army have put on companies to serve safer and more healthful ingredients. Thank you!
USA Today reported these additional details:
Some examples of artificial additive removal:
• Greek salad dressing — removed hydrogenated soy protein, maltodextrin, propylene glycol alginate, and the generic spice blend.
• Mozzarella on tomato mozzarella flatbread — removed titanium dioxide.
• Chicken noodle soup — removed hydrolyzed soy and corn protein, autolyzed yeast extract, and modified corn starch
• Poppyseed dressing —- removed cellulose gel and artificial flavors.
Please note: The action by Panera does not include the beverages it sells, though executives say they are working on that, too, particularly in bottled beverages.
The New York Times lists several other companies that are changing their ingredients (Hershey’s, Nestle, Chipotle, Nabisco, McDonalds and Tyson’s). This is all a result of our collective activism! Again, thank you for working for a better food system with me – we are winning!
Update June 3, 2014: Panera Bread announces they will remove all artificial colors, sweeteners, preservatives and flavors by 2016. Thank you #FoodBabeArmy for sharing this post continuously since April 2012 when it was first released. We are changing the world one company at a time by spreading the truth!
CNBC interviewed me about Panera committing to remove all artificial ingredients, here’s what I said: “Panera’s announcement is another example that consumer awareness and action is changing the food industry. … I appreciate Panera’s commitment to remove artificial ingredients and hope other major restaurant chains take notice to do the same.” (McDonalds, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Domino’s, etc. – listen up!!!) I investigated Panera Bread back in April 2012 because so many people (including my own parents) were under the impression it was healthy. Panera was even voted one of the healthiest fast food chains despite their overuse of artificial ingredients! I wanted people to know the truth and when people know the truth, these companies have no where to hide – they have to change to meet demand!
Original Investigation Published April 16, 2012:
My lovely mother sent me home with a bag full of home cooked food last week on Easter. It included her famous Indian flat bread stuffed with radishes, lentil soup and stir fried cauliflower. While everything was super delicious as usual, something caught me a little off guard… the Panera Bread bag she reused for me to carry home all those goodies.
Panera Bread is popping up all over the place…I see one outside my office window at work. I drove past three on my way to the park last Sunday…
And then while my friend Amy was traveling through a small town in South Carolina that I frequently visit, which is also a food desert (a place that shall remain nameless or my better half would kill me) … She texted with an urgent “Where do I stop to eat?” I didn’t have a good answer for her and I certainly didn’t suggest Panera Bread.
So given these signs, I had to feed my inner curiosity of why I just cringe at the thought of eating there. What I found was some startling ingredients this oh so fresh and so clean looking bakery style deli uses in their famous salads, sandwiches, soups and breads. With industrialized food sourcing over 90% of what Americans eat – It’s easy to get fooled, even with the simplest and freshest sounding menu items.
Luckily, Panera (like all companies should) provides you with all the information you need at your finger tips via their website where they list all the nutrition facts including the ingredients for all of their dishes. Here’s just a sampling of some of the ingredients that might make you think twice before stopping off for a bite…
First up – The Fuji Apple Salad. Looks pretty healthy doesn’t?
But nope… This salad is heavily processed. Those apple chips on top are made with canola oil and corn syrup which is highly likely to be genetically modified. The greek dressing has an ingredient most people use in their car engines as anti freeze aka propylene glycol… (If you want to know more about this substance – I go into detail about it in a Supermarket Birthday Cake Exposé.) Oh and look at all those tasty “natural” flavors (probably from Givaudan, a chemical food manufacturer).
And then if you are brave enough to order something as simple as a ham & swiss on rye… you’ll get a dosage of nitrates. Nitrates are dangerous for your health and are toxic to the brain. They are linked to Alzheimer’s and many forms of cancer. No one should be eating them. There’s really no reason to eat chemically preserved cured and smoked meat. Get it fresh, get it organic, and or don’t eat it at all. It’s that simple.
What about the whole grain bread… It’s got to be whole grain, right? They are Panera BREAD for goodness sakes.
Nope… Don’t get excited, it’s not 100% whole grain, just half. Like the rye bread that is used for the ham and swiss, the first ingredient after water, is enriched flour. There is nothing whole grain about enriched flour – this bread should actually be called half white bread if they were really going to name this correctly and were telling us the whole picture.
The most upsetting menu items were in the soup department… check out the hidden MSG in this Broccoli and Cheese Soup & Low Fat Black Bean Soup under disguise names “hydrolyzed corn and soy protein, autolyzed yeast extract and yeast extract” This is food industry trickery at it’s best! A little off topic, but relevant, the food company that makes Pop Chips is using this same trick too….I avoid this additive at all costs because MSG is an ingredient that literally excites your brain cells to death.
Now comes the worst part of this whole story. Health Magazine rated Panera Bread as the #1 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurant in America.
REALLLLLLY?! Is this the best fast food we can get? Does fast have to automatically assume processed? Salad dressing with propylene glycol? Meats with nitrates? Enriched bleached flour bread? Soup filled with MSG?! A whole menu full of GMOs?
Health Magazine looked at the use of healthy fats, sodium content and the use of organic produce to determine their top 10 restaurants. Panera Bread got the #1 spot because they offer organic yogurt, organic milk, and organic cheese on their award winning kids menu, which I have to admit is a step above places like McDonalds but they are still using the same cheap ingredients that other fast food restaurants use to make money and to get you hooked.
If you don’t go into Panera knowing all the facts, you can get duped pretty easily. Take for instance that acclaimed kid’s menu….if you end up ordering the kid’s ham sandwich instead of the grilled cheese for your little one, you end up feeding them nitrates, but it’s still considered the “healthiest” because your child has the option to wash it all down with organic milk.
Until fast food companies make some serious and bold decisions to be consistent in their messages about the quality of their food, what additives are in and not in their foods and use a measurable trusty worth standard – I won’t be buying it or supporting them. It’s far too confusing to keep up with all these ingredients for the typical consumer, so the food industry continues to win.
Luckily for us, in this case, we don’t have to work that hard to find the ingredient list. Let’s applaud Panera Bread for providing us the information to make good decisions about what we eat and what we feed our families.
Unfortunately for them, I’ll be looking elsewhere to spend my dollars. Where are you going to spend yours? And how do you get your food fast?
If you know someone who could benefit from hearing this information about Panera – please share this article with them.
In the Best of Health,
Food Babe
Since I live in a very small S.C. town where we have virtually no organic anything in any of our grocery stores, what would you suggest to buy as far as lunch meat and breads? It is next to impossible to find things that don’t contain nitrates, msg, etc.
Thanks!!
I live in a semi-small town too & I have been buying bread that is 100% whole wheat & NOT the wheat bread with the enriched flour. We have a Kroger & they carry a organic brand called simple truth so I buy that over anything else usually if I can afford it. Haha.
As a food professional I say avoid or be careful at Kroger. They are devious.
Just because it says “Simply Truth” does NOT make it organic. It will say Organic on it if it truly is. Don’t be deceive by fancy titles or names. Read the labels to see what you’re eating.
Have you ever looked into making your own bread? I always thought it would be tedious and time consuming but after trying it, its become a staple in our house. I bake up several loaves once a week and we eat it all week. This way I know exactly whats in the bread.
If you don’t want to bake your own check out Ezekiel Bread from the Food for Life Co. My grocery sells it in the frozen section. I normally have a couple of loaves in the freezer just in case my week gets hectic and I don’t have time to bake.
That means the ingredients are certified organic. It doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
If you didn’t make it, it’s still processed processed, processed.
Start requesting it from the manager. They will make special orders.
Gidget, I completely stopped buying any type of lunch meat long ago. It’s full of horrible things. Instead, I have cooked chicken, turkey, etc. and make fresh sandwiches for my son. He absolutely loves them. They are not comparable to processed lunch meat because they are REAL, fresh and not packed full of any of those harmful additives. If you need to work ahead, freeze them in single serve portions and thaw when needed. Not only is the extra work worth the health benefits, but I’m betting your family will find the taste incredibly better !!
Yes, that’s the best course of action….make your own lunch meats! I am fortunate to have many health food stores near me (hubby works at one). We don’t eat meat, other than wild fish. But if I did, I’d do as you do, Darla.
Most stores, even if they don’t carry organic, will carry ‘nitrite free’ deli meats, hot dogs and bacon. Opt for the nitrite free every time!
And as for bread – there is only one brand our stores carry thats really 100% whole grain and no HFCS that is soft and the kids will eat. Its Nature’s Own. Looks identical to others in the isle, but the ingredients are mostly good!
I just bought Natures Own at Trader Joes not thinking and when I got home I noticed it had the same dough conditioner Subway uses and its highly processed. A huge slap in the face cause I usually check every label unless Im familiar with the product.
Unfortunately i have been eating the Nature’s own also because it didn’t have the High fructose corn syrup in it (aka corn sugar) but it DID list the (Yoga mat ingredient…Azso???? can’t remember how to spell it)
I just went and got the bread so i could spell that word and the funny thing is that they CONVENIENTLY stopped listing it!!!!! It is now worded as such: Dough Conditioners!!!!!
So, here’s a shout out to FOOD BABE, warn people about their newest word trichery!!!! How PATHETIC!
I am in the process of finding Organic bread! Enough of the bread industry’s games!!!!
Look for Breads by http://www.alpinevalleybread.com If you are going to eat wheat, despite all the toxins associated with modern wheat, Alpine Valley is the best I’ve found.
Costco carries their 21 Grain and Omega 3 bread. My favorite is the sprouted honey wheat bread, which Costco no longer carries in my area stores.
Costco also carries 24oz loaves while other stores sell the 18oz loaves.
Alpine Valley does sell bread by mail order too.
Yikes!
Time to vote with my dollars!
You’d better believe I’ll find an alternative. Its certainly not in my local grocer though!
Hey – lets all write Natures Own and tell them thats unacceptable!
Just to let you know, nitrates occur in all lunch meats and jerky products naturally. They are not terrible for you if none are additionally added but you should try to avoid lunch meats as much as possible anyway. There are better lunch options.
We don’t really eat much lunch meat here. We have bacon and or hot dogs maybe once a month – and I will only purchase nitrate/nitrate free versions – or at least those where they are not ‘added’.
This bread is all organic and can be ordered online
http://www.daveskillerbread.com/
Natures own they do use GMO…The Ezekiel sprouted bread and Trader Joes organic bread are the best bagged bread i can find…
Gidget, why do you even need bread? What does it do for you?
It makes sandwiches and if you have children it is hard to totally avoid sandwiches.
Ezeikle bread is good.
Great product! We use it all the time.
Dear Gidget
Have you ever thought about foregoing lunch meat for healthier alternatives like almond butter and organic jams or tuna? Lunch meat will always be processes and more than likely will always contain nitrates which are cancer causing and those cheese slices too? Have no nutrients whatsoever. I know time is of issue and money may be of issue but how about trying healthier options?
Tuna=soy (GMO) and mercury
Greenpolkadotbox.com has great organic and all non GMO foods online. The club membership fee pays for itself in one order! Check it out! 🙂
Do you have Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods? If not Try to find out what city near you they might have it. I don’t know about S.C. But they have at least one(Trader Joe’s) near Williamsburg Virginia. Maybe they have it somewhere in S.C.??
Trader Joe’s is actually more reasonably priced than the major Grocery chains. Not only do they have groceries, but healthy quick meals and sandwiches, fresh daily…
Sounds like you need to request organic foods at your grocery store(s). Request, request, request. Do not stop. Call companies and ask them WTF is in their products. Tell the companies you call that you will no longer be able to purchase those products if they contain suspect ingredients.
I am so fortunate to be living in Portland Oregon where I have access to fresh/local/sustainable foods. We have farmers markets here with a SNAP/food stamp matching program… meaning they will match the first $5 at most of the farmers markets, and I will have $10 to spend at the market. Also, I’ve recently discovered an international farmers market in Portland that offers a $10 matching of SNAP! Meaning, I will have $20 to spend at the market! I am so excited to check it out!
http://www.localharvest.org will lead you to fresh, local, and sustainable Real Food. Happy hunting!
For meats, for a local butcher that is trustworthy. Find pasture raised beef or organically fed chicken. Processed kosher style. If all they sell is large portions that you can’t afford, then get together with some like minded people to make a purchase and divide it amonst yourselves.
Even though panera bread isn’t the healthiest, what are some other fast food places that you would suggest when trying to be as health conscious as you can be? I know every fast food restaurant is going to have certain issues, but if you have to eat at a fast food place, where do you suggest? Besides chipotle, because I don’t have one in my town. 🙂
I think Sammy is a food industry insider here to try and spin things and control damage..probably an exec in a fast food company, a processed food mfr or in our “hallowed, honest and looking out for our best interests” Govt. Or a mid level functionary at monsanto…
I contacted Panera earlier this week about azodicarbonamide. This is their reply:
Thank you for contacting Panera Bread. The Azodicarbonamide (ADA) was removed from all bagels when we transitioned to the new bagel base. We are actively working to remove it from all Panera products.
At least that is one step in the right direction. Is there a petition for the other unhealthy ingredients we need removed?
Food Babe,
First of all, I love your site and updates, but… Propylene Glycol isn’t what in your car’s radiator as anti-freeze. That’s Ethylene Glycol. Either way, I wouldn’t want to eat it. EG is what makes anti-freeze smell sweet, and makes dogs and people want to drink it. NOT GOOD! It’s a deadly poison. But, PG is the stuff in cleaning products, like those Swiffer mop-like things. Again, I wouldn’t want to eat it, but it’s not nearly as poisonous as EG.
Ted
Propylene glycol is sweet smelling as well. I deice airplanes with it. Little Debbie snacks among several other items smell just like our deicing trucks. Should never be consumed!
Ethylene glycol solutions became available in 1926 and were marketed as “permanent antifreeze” since the higher boiling points provided advantages for summertime use as well as during cold weather. They are used today for a variety of applications, including automobiles, but gradually being replaced by propylene glycol due to its lower toxicity.
What really irritates me is all the bread in grocery stores have azodicarbonamide in them. I just noticed the bread I buy for my Type 2 diabetic husband has it in it. I thought I was getting “healthy” bread for him! I eat Paleo, but he doesn’t. He only eats bread as a sandwich or toast with his bacon & eggs. We don’t eat out very much. But we need to get azo out of all commercial bakeries, too.
Not all bread contains those toxins, be sure to read the labels. Try a good organic sprouted wheat bread.
Hey FoodBabe, show some love to Chipolte!!!!! Their food is amazing, they have lots of organic drinks and are anti-GMOs. All of their meat is grass fed too. If you see one, stop and get some good fast food. They’re the healthiest fast good around.
Yeah, I think it is important to thank those who are stepping up to the plate. I’m super proud of Chipotle!!
I am very happy for the changes Chipotle is making but I need to clarifiy to you that their meat IS NOT grassfed. The animals are still fed GMO corn. Also, not all of their ingredients are GMO free either, but they have made some changes which is better than none.
It actually depends on the location. Some locations have 100% grass fed beef, some don’t. It depends on the supply, but you can find out by asking the manager. Or tweet them. Joe is great about responding. If you’re going to be suspicious about meat there, the meat to skip is the chicken. It’s antibiotic free, but other than that it’s not all that different from standard chicken…yet. Not that it matters; Chipotle’s veggie burritos are super amazing, and come with guac included. 🙂 Who needs the meat?
I love Chipotle and also applaud them for the changes they are making (although I was not too happy with them in the beginning for not being fully honest until they were exposed). Depending on the location, they unfortunately cook with soybean oil. 🙁 When I contacted them about it a while back, they said they were slowly switching over but sadly, what they were switching to was another high inflammatory oil. How I would love to see a movement start about the knowledge of oils. So many even organic products use the highly inflammatory oils in their products. As one who has an autoimmune disease and should avoid inflammatory foods & oils, I have noticed a HUGE difference when I avoid the inflammatory oils. Fwiw, Dr. Russell Blaylock has done extensive research on oils which Dr. Mercola has also reportedly similarly — all vegetable oils including soy (also GMO) seed, nut, canola, are all inflammatory. A safe oil to cook with is coconut. Even olive oil which is wonderful, can oxidize when cooked on high heat, therefore, it is recommended to avoid cooking with olive oil unless you cook on low heat. I sometimes wish that even the organic companies would consult or do their research from those who have done it and reported on it. I still have to give Chipotle credit where due.
Chipotle salads are a great lunch!
go to http://www.cloverfoodlab.com/
This is the future of fast food!
No set menu because they never know what they will be able to get FRESH each day, amazing!
“We’re here to make food you love, the kind you talk about and look forward to eating. The Clover Food Lab is serving up a new type of fast food. This food is local, it’s just-cut, when we can it is organic.
How about a petition for Panera to go nitrate free? I know Boar’s Head is reasonably priced and nitrate and gluten free.
FYI-not all boars head products are without nitrates and they admit to using MSG in “a handful” of their lunch meats.
http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2010/03/are-all-dietz-watson-or-boars-head-lunch-meats-natural.html
So interesting!!
Question: If you HAD to eat at Panera (like you just have to), what would you suggest to order?
Thanks!
Panera has a TON of healthy options. Their hummus bowl, power salads, and breakfast bowls are just a few… You can always order without dressing or toppings as well.
Am I mistaken? I thought nitrates were naturally occurring? Celery salt? Anyone have more info on that? The Today show and Dr. Oz busted the myth on nitrates being “bad.” I would like to know references in your blog.
I really don’t ever take just Dr Oz’s word for anything…he can be on the mark, but can also be like most doctors (clueless in regard to nutrition.) Nitrates that are naturally occurring in foods (i.e., celery) are found alongside compounds like vitamin C that inhibit their conversion into nitrosamines. Not so when they are added to foods as a preservative.
Dr Oz is also a sellout! Why people (especially women) idolize him, I do not know or understand!
Yes 2 completely separate uses…
Celery does contain naturally occurring nitrites. You really need nitrites in processed and fermented meats (salami, etc) to prohibit spoilage.
It’s so necessary that some food manufacturers who are trying to avoid the dreaded “nitrite” label use celery juice or powder instead. They can list that on the label without explaining why.
Most say those earlier studies on nitrates and nitrites were erroneous in regards to being carcinogens.. In fact, most were derived from vegetables.. http://chriskresser.com/the-nitrate-and-nitrite-myth-another-reason-not-to-fear-bacon
Someone reading studies instead of regurgitating, amen!
Most pesticides and fungicides are made from plants . the point is there still toxic and can cause DEATH in humans . see PARAQUAT .
Hi Vani hope all is good. I would like to know your opinion on a chain I visited in Orlando called The Sweet Tomatoes.
Thanks
In response to your rant:
Your main complaint comes in the first section of your post. Nice try at slamming a restaurant just because they are growing. I also sense a bit of the mean vegan in your remarks.
Studies resulting from the MSG scare in the ‘80’s proved it to be a safe flavor enhancement similar to salt. The body processes it in the same way.
Nitrate amounts on smoked meats are way below any level that could harm anyone. They are actually safer than fresh meats because they don’t support the growth of microorganisms that make people sick.
Everything has GMO’s in it these days, even your precious organic ingredients have picked them up. You will never find non-GMO foods again, ever. That includes your precious olive oil with was one of the first to go. Hydrolyzed corn and soy protein is not MSG, it’s shortening, though I’d prefer using lard. Autolyzed yeast extract and yeast extract isn’t MSG either, it’s a rising agent used as leavening in all soft breads.
The whole grain myth must be challenged. White bread is much more digestible than whole grain. When you are ill, the doctor recommends soda crackers and white bread since they digest so well and relieve the stresses that those nasty fibers cause to your stomach. Granted, fibers are good for the lower digestion tract but they raise havoc in the stomach. You’re attempting to redefine the term enriched. Enriched simply means that additional vitamins that are hard to obtain in a regular daily diet are added, by law. They are also added to whole grain flours as well.
Realizing that your article is really just a front to rant about McDonald’s, Subway, Panera Bread or any other food provider. I hope you will chose to confine your smugness to your own kitchen and hope you maintain good health. At the very least you should research an article before posting your agenda so plainly.
Go troll another page. If you want to eat Nitrates and MSG, please…by all means, have at it. You are clueless.
Cognitive Dissonance at it’s finest.
First off – why do people on here automatically name someone as a “troll” if they’re speaking their own opinion. I’ve seen so much of that. if Foodbabe can speak her opinion on here and not be considered a troll to everyone else then why is Janet (and others) being named a troll. Secondly – how in gods name do you truly know who is and isn’t educated!? Educated anymore could be an “online course” in stupidity. My statement here has nothing to do with Foodbabes post but it sure as hell has to do with mere respect for one another. I really wish each person on here who feels the need to “call names” realizes that’s what children do…
I don’t think that everyone who has a dissenting opinion is automatically a “troll”. I work in the health field and have a degree in health education.
While Vani is doing an AMAZING job at shining a spotlight on the commercial food industry here in the US, I have also noticed little errors here and there in her information. I don’t assume that she is attempting to mislead anybody.
But the same way that I appreciate her giving us information about the foods that we eat, I also appreciate when people that have a more intimate knowledge of the subject matter come here and share their knowledge in a constructive way.
Knowledge is power, and nobody should be blindly following another source, be it FoodBabe or anyone else, when it comes to something as important as what you are putting in your body. Do your own research!
Seriously, you are on the wrong page. Troll somewhere else. Everyone on here is much more educated on these matters.
I am sad to say this, but Janet, you are displaying a great deal of anger because you don’t agree. You don’t have to agree. But, you don’t have to talk about “ranting” or “agenda” because that isn’t what the point of the article is. It is very disheartening to live in our world today and now that I am much older than I was, I am so careful to read (although I need a multi-multi magnifying glass) all the ingredients written even on Health food products. Sometimes, you do get tricked, and as far as someone else mentioning Dr. Oz, I don’t even watch or listen to him. It is still all about the money, they sell supplements that make you lose weight. Not. Many just give you a good case of diarrhea which of course will help you lose some weight—mostly water which your system needs. Nitrates and preservatives of all kinds, and even all kinds of oils are not healthy. Just please read or don’t read, what you know you are going to disagree with. It is all up to you. Genetically Modified should be a “STOP” sign, however, genes are our make-up. If you like your body and you are happy with your health, why would you want any genetic modified foods in your diet. Just be more polite when you write. Or you can just ignore it. It is all in your hands.
People on this website are NOT trying to eat the common American fat laced,chemical diet…If you like to eat highly processed foods that’s fine but to say there is nothing wrong with this type of food is not true.
Chipotle and Chick-Fil-A are the new leaders. I hope everyone follows their good example. Panera, you can do much better than this!
The other one that wasn’t discussed that is in there: the antibiotic natamycin, commonly found in dirt. It’s the reason I buy regular blocks of cheese and not the shredded type, since the shredded ones use it to slow mold growth.
As an employee of Panera, I’m glad to see somebody do “research” and publish an article about how our foods aren’t as amazing as the uppity and health-conscious patrons seem to think. But next time, please note that the Fuji Apple Salad has FUJI APPLE dressing, otherwise known as the White Balsamic Apple Vinaigrette. Not Greek. Duh.
I don’t understand your outrage that there are nitrates in ham at Panera. It’s ham. I look at ham and assume it has nitrates. This is why I generally don’t eat ham. But ham containing nitrates does not seem like news to me. If you compare Panera to most other fast food it seems a lot healthier. But healthier than most fast food doesn’t mean healthy! Make your own food at home, avoid any food that has a TV commercial and you’ll be fine.
I think Chipotle is the healthiest fast food!
I guess if I had to I would only order the organic milk but look into that too will ya
You know nothing about baking. If whole grain and rye breads didn’t have ground wheat flour, they’d just be hunks of unedible grains, not bread. You need to grind the wheat to release the gluten to provide structure to the bread.
Duh.
If everyone who posted here store to the CEO of Panera things would improve
You people are NUTZ!!!! So what if you don’t like the ingredients? Eat somewhere else… Preferably not South Carolina, cause we don’t want you picky eaters around anyways. Do yourself a favor and go eat some grass or whatever it is you believe is healthy. If you don’t like it don’t eat it. OMFG im going to get cancer from this salad. Give me a break health nuts… Enjoy life and go eat you some real southern food like fat back. PEACE
Frank da Tank… Amen!!!!
What are you people doing here? This isn’t a website for people willing to shove anything their down their pie hole. Your comment doesn’t make sense anyway. “Eat some real southern food like fat back.” Is that on the menu at Panera?
Thank you! I swear the people that think they know everything about “harmful” ingredients have no background in science or chemistry.
What about Panera’s hidden menu????
Not sure why they hide it but there they offer no bread, chips toppings that are processed and you get lemon and olive oil for salad.
Propylene glycol is AKA as miralax…..why is it so dangerous if its given to people on a daily basis…so confused
No miralax is polyethylene glycol… but nice try.
Re: Panera Bread…let’s not ignore the fact that Panera Bread supplies the foodstuff to Starbucks.
Listening to Panera’s healthy ingredients and radio commercials, I admit it was our go to for a healthy alternative. Once again, having also been naive to Subway, I feel violated. We travel a lot, and I’m just going to have to pack food for our trips. I really don’t trust anyplace anymore. This is a shame to me, as my husband and I really would enjoy a good meal out. Thankfully we have a Whole Foods. That IS great, RIGHT?? Please tell me I can trust them, and they are not deceptive, and THANK YOU for enlightening me, and for the work you’re doing for the common good of all of us!
Why not stop off at a gas station and get some nuts, banana and orange. Most gas stations do have this and some are popping up that have hummus, fruit bowls, hard boiled egg etc. Now, I haven’t checked out the labels on these foods but it would be worth a visit to your local Shell/Mapco to see and this by the way is in the South.
if you cant pronounce it, dont buy it. Make your own salad. 12 dollars for a salad, and a drink is absurd.
I do think it is very much over priced…
You have to understand that Panera is a huge company, in two countries that services millions of customers a year. Like any very large restaurant company, they have to appeal tothe broad masses of people. That being said, the good news is they offer alternatives for the consumers who want to eat healthier…. Example, antibiotic free chicken and turkey… Not organic, but much better than the chicken and turkey offered in MOST other fast food or full service restaurants. In addition most of the produce is proprietary to Panera where very strict guidelines are enforced by Panera. The purpose of the hidden menu is to target the more health conscious, savvy individuals. Typically those looking for items that are healthier for you but not necessary popular to the masses…. For example, egg white spinach salads with hummus, kale smoothies…. The menu is advertised in publications that target the more health conscious and if an item becomes popular, it is put on the main menu. The bottom line is, Panera has made great strides and continues to do so in offering a more healthy menu. The realization is that it costs more to provide organic and such products and those costs are passed on in what the consumer pays. It is true that there are options and items on the menu that are not perfect food…. It doesn’t mean that you can say it isn’t a healthy place to eat….. You just have to know what to order and what is good for you! No different than shopping at Whole Foods …. You can get some great, organic, unprocessed items as well as organic, yet processed items and non organic…. But I wouldn’t say they are not a healthy store to shop in because they carry both! They, also have to appeal to the masses to stay in business! If we all continue to educate ourselves to make healthy choices when we shop and eat out we will continue to see demand go up for those items and prices go down!
Wow. After reading all this, I am afraid to eat ANYTHING. There are opposite opinions on every food issue! Who to believe? The more I read, the more I just throw up my hands and look for some friendly sand to stick my head in.
Oh, I feel the same way. I am afraid to eat anything. I use to love the vegie sub at Subway…never again. Now, what can I really order that isn’t bad for you at Panera?
I somehow stumbled upon this. Obviously they do not use propylene glycol in their dressing- it’s propylene glycol alginate. It may sound the same, but it’s different. It is a common thickening agent used in many dressings. Please quit spreading misinformation. Yes, google can make anyone a consultant these days but that doesn’t excuse you from doing proper research. Please utilize your science and chemistry knowledge and I will be able to respect that.
This is good information. I will be ordering the Fuji apple salad without the apple chips and using lemon instead of the salad dressing. Simple as that to make sure the meal is healthy.
Somehow I am not surprised…
Saying that Propolyne Glycol is used as an antifreeze in your car doesn’t make it so. ETHYLENE Glycol is used in engines. PROPOLYNE Glycol is used as an antifreeze where leakage might end up in food.
Salr water or urine can be used as antifreeze in a pinch.
Before you say things that lead people to believe that we are being fed engine antifreeze, check your sources. Again, saying it doesn’t make it so. Saying it louder doesn’t make it more so.
@food_babe. Please do deeper research on your questionable finds. For instance, they now use the glycol in anti freeze because it is safe. They replaced the old antifreeze ethol glycol with propylene because the EG was harmful. The old antifreeze was killing our pets. The PG does not kill our pets.
You’re really losing face here. Even my dumb neighbor knows this simple fact.
Unless you are growing your own food organically and only purchasing organic everything else (but just organic isn’t enough for meat, it needs to be grass fed organic grass too), then nothing else is 100% pure. Most people do not have the means to accomplish those criteria. So what do we do? We have to make the best choices for health that we are able. We rarely eat out of the house, I mean super rarely, so I’m not an “advocate” for Panera, nor am I defending them. But seriously… this article was pretty silly. Notice how many times the author supposes “facts”? Ex: “which is HIGHLY LIKELY to be genetically modified…” or “…(PROBABLY from Givaudan, a chemical food manufacturer).” She presented no facts that those were Panera’s sources. I am not surprised that Health Magazine found it to be the “healthiest” FAST FOOD place in comparison to all the others. McDonald’s? Burger King? Taco Bell? Sometimes we seriously have to get off our high horse about 100% organic and realize that sometimes you just have to do the best that is available. Strive for health. If you have to eat out, choose a deli over a burger joint. It’s still healthier. …REALLY didn’t intend to write a short novel here, ha.
Alot of good things being said I was a Manager for Panera and can answer anything you want to know…As far as the negativity not sure there’s any need for that..Everyone is entitled to how they feel..Doesn’t have to be right or wrong take what ya need leave the rest…
I’d just like to say that I work for Panera, and that this article is bogus. Do not believe this bologna, if you do, then you obviously have no idea what McDonalds and many other fast food restaurants do to their food. And secondly, if your going to criticize a place that you have never been, at least get the names of the products right! You make yourself look like an idiot to people on the inside who actually know what they are talking about. Last I checked, we have devoted customers who come in day in and day out to get their favorite meals, ones that they pay top dollar for because the prices of such high quality ingredients has to be balanced out! We have full descriptive nutritional manuals available at every Café, which in no way shape or form list the things you claim are in our products. You seriously have no room to talk.
You can buy cold cuts without nitrates & other additives….
Buy: Boar’s Head (the maple ham is amazing & I’m not a fan of ham!)
or buy the Natural Brand (that lists no nitrates).
We have a store nearby that has 2 brands without nitrates!
Well, I’m not surprised. I am however disgusted. I’m not disgusted that there is a business out there attempting to make a living by feeding us crap, that’s human nature and as the consumer, it is our responsibility to know what we are eating. I am disgusted that the law doesn’t step in and stop allowing this to go on making uninformed children and families sick. It’s America so then this should be posted as a WARNING HEALTH HAZARD with the above ingredience and what it does to the body on every door of panera and again this is America so in every language. Other countries do not allow this in their food. What we allow other countries give serious punishment for. Panera I loved your facility. I loved the atmosphere. But I love me more. So because you don’t serve me well and care if I live out my years with health and vitality, myself, my family and my friends will say good bye to you and believe me you just lost a lot of business because you are now on the avoid list and equal to a fast food burger. Need fast food I suggest you stop at a health food store they have lots of grab and go. Even if you grab some fruit, cheese and bread that makes a fun lunch. So many other places to stop with better choices then this. Think creative and be heathy.
to be fair if “fast food” restaurants did cut out these ingredients a hamburger or a sandwich or soup would cost $3-$4 dollars more per item. I’m not saying it’s ok for these things to be in the food I am saying that someone on a very tight fixed income won’t be able to afford to buy organic products in stores or restaurants. this isn’t 1850 where half of the population were farmers and could access quality food easily. in fact only 2 percent of America lives in a farming family. all that to say that our society doesn’t value truly healthy food in any way
This article really disappointed me. Panera offers many healthy options and I for one think we should be supporting companies who are taking initiatives to provide healthier menu items. In fact, I think they are owed an apology as a hundred thousand people are now going to boycott their business because they are under the misguided assumption that Panera offers no healthy options.
http://www.livingwhole.org/why-we-owe-panera-post-and-the-farmer-an-apology/
As a food professional & a critic, I say avoid or be careful in going to eat at PANERA BREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can be dangerous to your health!!!!
There is both fact and fiction intermingling here, and to a degree that’s forgivable–Food Babe is not appropriately qualified or educated, but whatever: her advice isn’t harming anyone, even if she’s lying (unintentionally or not.)
What is, however, completely inexcusable is that now that she’s been repeatedly corrected with several instances of irrefutable fact, she hasn’t updated the article. She is apparently fine with these inaccuracies. In a social climate in which she is ostensibly supporting honesty and transparency by food producers, she can’t be bothered to be honest or accurate herself. That’s pretty hypocritical. It’s also unethical and embarrassing and the reason that scientists and experts don’t take bloggers seriously.
She’s right, don’t eat Panera if you want the cleanest food. Don’t eat at restaurants at all, especially fast food ones. No surprise there. But this is also hilarious in its alarmism and sad in that she cares less about being factual than she does about her page views.
Have you ever thought that worrying constantly about what you put in your body may affect your life negatively? I’ve grown up eating fast food, organic food.. I exercise and I’m not suffering any health problems. You can argue “but down the line…”; well what happened to living in the moment? You people keep obsessing about every ingredient put in your body, its unnatural and unnecessary.
I just googled “what does everything I eat at Panera go straight through me”, your blog article popped up. Thanks for doing the research for me!
I am so grateful I discovered your blog. I have been reading your articles non-stop and signing any petition I can. We have a voice and we can cause major companies to change the ingredient they use if we all stick together. I have to applaud your effort in that you have changed so much already! I frequently eat at Panera because they are local and literally all over the place, but know they serve so much hidden crap has really disgusted me. I will be making alternative lunch plans and be more cautious about ingredient lists they change the names so things most people cannot pronounce and we keep on reading and skip over that word like it wasn’t there but really that word is something very toxic to our health. Once again thank you for changing the world we eat in one day at a time!
I enjoy reading what you have to say. Your comments are very insightful the only thing I would like more information about would be MSG http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/its-the-umami-stupid-why-the-truth-about-msg-is-so-easy-to-swallow-180947626/?no-ist. MSG does not do what people say it does.
Jay
WOW. Can we trust anything anymore? The greed and deception of man knows no boundaries.
You hit the nail on the head with that one, This is why we need to get rid of corporations and go back to local grown food, and mom and pop shops… Its a shame what this county has become …
I fear the corporations have given us exactly what we wanted. We wanted low prices, so they create products that meet that price point. We want to get the exact same food at every location across the country, so they prepackage with a bunch of chemicals so it is precisely the same. Most people don’t like the flavor of 100% whole grain breads, so they give us bread with enough enriched flour that people will like it.
I agree, I want low prices. I despise the fact that whole wheat bread is twice as much as white. I could eat healthier, but I go for the sale and what is cheapest. Recently, I did buy a healthier bread because it was BOGO. Organic is rarely bogo or still costs more even when it is…. When we go to a restaurant, I often choose what I will eat, not based on what I want, but what is the cheapest thing on the menu. What I don’t understand is why the healthy items are often so much more than the non-healthy. For example, we went to Chick-Fil-A. I know, not a healthy place, but they do offer grilled nuggets vs fried. They also cost more! You would think that since the fried have the batter on them, those would cost more, but it isn’t the case.
I do try and limit HFCS and artificial colors and flavors. I’m not 100% there, since there are some food items I just won’t give up (Jello, boxed cereal for artificial colors…. very hard to get rid of HFCS, I’ve found.)
Get rid of corporations? A bit of am overreaction don’t you think?
Tara,
The reason that crappy processed foods are so much more expensive than healthy whole food basically boils down to one thing: big government. The government subsidizes corn. To the tune of billions of dollars. They pay farmers to grow it, and then they pay researchers even more to figure out how to make processed ingredients out of it. You would be absolutely amazed at how much of the American diet is derived from corn. The vast majority of processed ingredients are simply corn byproducts. So, processed food is not cheaper once you factor in the tax dollars that the government takes from you to give to the agriculture industy. It’s all a facade.