Kroger Creamy Peanut Butter — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Kroger Creamy Peanut Butter by Kroger DUMP — score 17/90.

Peanuts should be the whole story, but this adds sugar, molasses, and fully hydrogenated vegetable oils to keep it from separating. Hydrogenated oil is the tell of an industrial spread, not a real one. A natural peanut butter of just peanuts and salt is right next to it on the shelf.

Why this verdict

• Contains fully hydrogenated vegetable oils (rapeseed, cottonseed, soybean)
• Two added sweeteners: sugar plus molasses
• NOVA 4 ultra-processed formulation of an ingredient that needs none
• A cleaner Kroger option (peanuts and salt only) exists for the same aisle

Ingredients (5)

• roasted peanuts (safe) — The one ingredient a peanut butter actually needs; good protein and healthy fats.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• molasses (moderate) — A second sweetener for color and flavor. Minor, but it stacks on top of the sugar.
• Fully hydrogenated vegetable oils (caution) — Added purely to prevent oil separation; the hallmark of an industrialized spread. Fully hydrogenated oils are trans-fat-free but signal ultra-processing.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.

Healthier alternatives

• Teddie Unsalted Peanut Butter
• Creamy Salted Peanut Butter
• Old fashioned peanut butter all natural super chunky
• Simple Truth Organic Creamy Peanut Butter
• Organic Creamy Peanut Butter