Trader Joe's Store-Brand Products, Least to Most Processed
Each product is ranked by its own Processing Score, lowest first.
What should you look for on the label?
- Trader Joe's products are exclusively their own brand, so there are no national brand comparisons
- Smaller product counts mean less variety but generally more curated quality
- Many TJ's products use simpler formulations than national brand equivalents
- Frozen meals at TJ's still contain additives but fewer than conventional frozen brands
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How are products scored?
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 to 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 to 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Each product in the ranking is placed by its own Processing Score, not by its brand. Based on our analysis of 445K+ curated products from the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trader Joe's food less processed?
It depends on the product. Trader Joe's carries simple staples alongside snacks and frozen meals with longer ingredient lists. The ranking above lists its least processed products, each by its own score.
What are the best Trader Joe's products?
The best Trader Joe's products by processing score are their simple staples: nuts, olive oil, plain dairy, and single-ingredient frozen vegetables. Trader Joe's snacks like dried fruit and simple nut mixes also score well.
What are the least processed items at Trader Joe's?
Fresh produce, simple nuts and dried fruit, plain dairy, and basic staples score lowest. Their frozen vegetable and grain options also score well compared to competitors.
How does TJ's compare to Whole Foods?
Whole Foods has a formal banned ingredient list; Trader Joe's relies on curation instead. Both sell products across the whole range of our scale, so compare product by product.