I hate to say this but I think people prefer TJ because it attracts a more middle/upper class element. When that happens things are always kind of assumed to be healthier than when the general public shops there.

I have friends who would never go to the local grocery store because...anyway, with TJ and Whole Foods they feel like the right type of person goes there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The produce at my TJ is is just fine. Lasts longer than most other supermarkets....

Actually fresh produce does not last a long time. Ever gone to a farm and picked fresh produce?

Not PP, but 1 1/2 weeks ago purchased lettuce and broccoli at the farmers market and it's still good.

Anonymous wrote:The produce at my TJ is is just fine. Lasts longer than most other supermarkets....

+1

I own a farm and yes I've picked fresh food---and canned/frozen it too.

Anonymous wrote:The produce at my TJ is is just fine. Lasts longer than most other supermarkets....

Actually fresh produce does not last a long time. Ever gone to a farm and picked fresh produce?

I do think people confuse TJ's with health food. I don't know why that is.

I think people on that other thread were reacting to people who say they eat TJ's processed foods (like from the frozen section) multiple times per week. They have a famous prepared frozen foods section. Their products don't have preservatives or other additives, but they're still high in sodium and still have that mushy frozen food taste. I guess if it's TJ's frozen dinner or a Stouffer's or something, then TJ's would win. But I can't see eating a TJ's frozen dinner 5 nights out of the week.

We shop there because the prices on cereal, cheese, yogurt, canned beans, and a few other things are the cheapest. I also like that you don't have to read labels for multi-syllable artificial ingredients. The produce is gross. You could never do all your shopping there because they won't have certain staples. But it's good for a few things.

The produce at my TJ is is just fine. Lasts longer than most other supermarkets....

Anonymous wrote:Not PP here. Why do you say it's 80% processed crap? I buy fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, fish at TJs.

Yes, they sell some pre-made (just heat it up in the oven) foods, but doesn't every grocery store? I mean, Safeway, Giants, Whole Paycheck, Harris Teeter, Costco are stuffed with pre-made meal foods. (as well as basic ingredients, just like TJs.)

TJs is no different than the other stores. They just have a different niche.

It is not a health food store. Their niche is "different" processed foods.

Their produce sucks BTW, that is a universal fact.

Not PP here. Why do you say it's 80% processed crap? I buy fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meats, fish at TJs.

Yes, they sell some pre-made (just heat it up in the oven) foods, but doesn't every grocery store? I mean, Safeway, Giants, Whole Paycheck, Harris Teeter, Costco are stuffed with pre-made meal foods. (as well as basic ingredients, just like TJs.)

TJs is no different than the other stores. They just have a different niche.

Ah, thanks PP. I see that guidance was from a year ago, and my information did in fact date to 2010, so clearly there has been a change in guidance since that. I retract my MSG statement (b/c as of 2010, they were, in fact, still loading their foods up with MSG).

Doesn't mean TJ food is healthy because it's still 80% processed crap, but clearly no MSG.

Read about MSG and hydrolized vegetable protein here:

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/help/faqs_flavorings/index.asp#5

Placing "No MSG," "No MSG Added," or "No Added MSG" on food labels has been deemed by the FDA to be false and misleading under section (403)(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act when there is processed free glutamic acid (MSG). Therefore, if TJs really is declaring no MSG and then putting MSG in products, this is illegal.

So no, they can't just lie about whether there is MSG.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:From the Fearless Flyer:
http://traderjoes.com/fearless-flyer/article.asp?article_id=153

All of the foods in the Trader Joe's name are made without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. They have no MSG, no added trans fats, no genetically modified ingredients and no high fructose corn syrup. We buy directly from the manufacturer whenever possible, and we cut out all the added costs that tend to drive up the price of supermarket foods - things like big ad budgets (obviously, no fancy advertising here), coupons and slotting fees. We keep it simple. Good food, great prices. Every day.


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They can say whatever the hell they want. It doesn't make it true.

Actually they can't lie re whats in their food.

Sure they can. Besides, "no MSG" doesn't mean it's not loaded with sodium; "no added trans fats" doesn't mean it's not fatty food; an "no high fructose corn syrup" doesn't mean it doesn't contain, uh, "corn sugar."

Try not to be so gullible.

Well check the nutrition label for sodium.

Check the ingredients list for HFCS. BTW, the corn industry was denied the permission to call HFCS corn sugar, so if you see corn sugar on the label, avoid it if you'd like, but it's not HFCS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I would call it healthier food. I can buy a fruit leather that is 100% fruit as opposed to a fruit rollup which is hard to consider food. I can buy 100% whole wheat blueberry waffles as opposed to artificially flavored with white flour from Eggo. They have more selection of baked chips etc. I go about 1x per month.

The fruit leather has MSG in it. Look at the label. See the words "natural flavoring?" Yes, MSG is natural, but, still.

That's the product my friend discovered contains it.

Do you believe everything your friend tells you? The FDA mandates that any product that contains MSG must label it as so. Your friend is correct in stating that "natural flavoring" can refer to any number of chemical compounds derived from certain foods, but let's bet clear, MSG is NOT one of them.