Publix Chocolate Chip Cookies — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Publix Chocolate Chip Cookies by Publix DUMP — score 17/90.

This Chips Ahoy-style cookie is made with hydrogenated soybean oil, a trans-fat source that forces a DUMP no matter how it tastes. On top of that it stacks sugar, dextrose, and high fructose corn syrup with artificial flavor and caramel color. It is an ultra-processed cookie, and the value price does not buy you a cleaner recipe.

Why this verdict

• Contains hydrogenated soybean oil, a source of trans fat
• Three sweetener sources: sugar, dextrose, and high fructose corn syrup
• Hyper-palatable triad: sugar plus refined oil plus refined flour
• Natural and artificial flavors plus caramel color

Ingredients (9)

• HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL (avoid) — A source of trans fat; an automatic red flag regardless of anything else.
• wheat flour (moderate) — Thickening agent, not harmful but adds processing.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Dextrose (caution) — Second added sweetener.
• High Fructose Corn Syrup (caution) — The dominant sweetener and second ingredient; drives the sugar load.
• Natural and Artificial Flavors (caution) — Undisclosed lab flavoring - the artificial half signals engineering.
• caramel color (caution) — Artificial coloring for a browned look, no nutritional purpose.
• Whey (safe) — Milk protein for body.
• Soy Lecithin (safe) — Common emulsifier, generally benign in these amounts.