Welcome to fall: the crisp air, golden leaves, and that unmistakable aroma swirling through your local grocery store - pumpkin spice! For families and flavor-seekers alike, the season’s return marks not just the start of sweater weather, but the rush to snag your favorite pumpkin-spice treats before they disappear again. But as you load up your cart, you ask: which brands deliver clean, quality ingredients worthy of your family and your health goals?

Enter WISEcode, the only platform with precision transparency, giving you instant clarity on the ingredient quality behind the hype of the product.

Why Ingredient Quality Matters in Pumpkin Spice Brands

At WISEcode, we believe truth belongs in every bite you take. The Ingredient Quality (IQ) Score is a powerful, AI-driven code - a simple number that uncovers the ingredient quality and risk profile of packaged foods. It weighs eight essential markers, from banned additives and artificial colors to processing level and presence of seed oils or emulsifiers. These codes aren’t just a gimmick; they’re rooted in the latest science and regulatory guidance, empowering household decision-makers to choose wisely for themselves and their families.

5 Popular Pumpkin-Spiced Foods & Their IQ Scores

We used the WISEcode app to determine the score of these pumpkin-spiced favorites. Try it yourself and you'll be addicted to scanning like you are with pumpkin spice!

1. Pumpkin-Spice Oreo Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Oreos are a seasonal favorite that combines the classic Oreo cookie with a festive pumpkin spice twist. These sandwich cookies feature a pumpkin-flavored creme filling infused with warm fall spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a deliciously sweet and spicy flavor profile.

But they rank incredibly poor using WISEcode's IQ Score, being flagged for ingredients banned in other countries, artificial everything, seed oils, emulsifiers, and more. Maybe taste prevails or you want to find an alternative below. 

• IQ Rating: Poor - 4

• Standout: Super ultra-processed. Banned and unsafe ingredients. Artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors. Contains seed oils and emulsifiers.

2. Pepperidge Farm Soft Baked Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

The cookie tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake, with a bit of spice and sweetness that isn’t overpowering. The IQ Score labels them “Fair” because they include several processed ingredients like preservatives, flavor enhancers, and some seed oils.

• IQ Rating: Fair - 30

• Standout: Ultra-processed. No artificial sweeteners. Some seed oils and emulsifiers.

3. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte K-Cup

The PSL drink is iconic. Nothing says fall quite like that first sip. This coffee drink is known for its pumpkin spice flavor, which is a blend of classic spices including clove. Surprisingly, the K-Cup version has an "Excellent" score. A nostalgic fall ritual for many families.

• IQ Rating: Excellent - 95

• Standout: Minimally processed. Real pumpkin and spices. Poor fiber density.

4. LesserEvil Organic Pumpkin Spice Popcorn

Salty, sweet, and crunchy, this popcorn is a rebel with a cause: made with organic coconut oil, brown rice syrup, and air-popped kernels. WISEcode scores these snacks as “Excellent” because they eliminate artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners and keep processing minimal. 

• IQ Rating: Excellent - 82

• Standout: Lightly processed. No artificial additives. Contains an emulsifier.

5. Chobani Pumpkin Spice Greek Yogurt

Chobani is a household name for “better for you” dairy, and their pumpkin spice yogurt packs protein and live cultures alongside natural pumpkin and cinnamon. The IQ Score gives Chobani an “Excellent”, avoiding artificial sweeteners, colors, and most preservatives.

• IQ Rating: Excellent - 92

• Standout: Lightly processed. Real pumpkin, probiotics, no artificial ingredients. Excellent protein density.

For more fall-themed snack ratings, check out this article or find out for yourself using the free WISEcode app. 

Special Diets and Preferences: Pumpkin Spice for Everyone

Pumpkin spice season is for everyone. No matter your dietary needs or preferences, there’s a way to savor those cozy, warming spices. Today’s grocery store shelves are packed with pumpkin spice products that cater to gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and other special diets, so you never have to miss out on the flavors of fall.

When shopping for pumpkin spice foods, always check the ingredient label for added sugar, artificial flavors, and other unwanted extras if that’s what fuels your goals and values. Use WISEcode to scan and identify instantly, or look for products made with real pumpkin, organic spices, and natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey.

How to Celebrate Pumpkin Spice: Joyful, Clear, & Confident

• Scan every treat, save what you love: Use WISEcode at checkout for an instant IQ Score.

• Choose what matches your values: Aim for “Good” and “Excellent” foods when possible if you’re looking for less processed foods. 

• Celebrate progress: Swap one higher-scoring snack for a lower one - your small wins add up!

• No judgment, just empowerment: WISEcode delivers what matters, no noise, no bias.

*We receive no compensation and hold no financial interest in the products mentioned; information is provided based solely on our app and database.