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Trader Joe's Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Chicken sausages

Trader Joe's Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage

12 oz

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Contains added sugars
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Why it scores 68

Trader Joe's Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage scores 68 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
  3. Salt 1.5 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better sausages

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausage

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
subtotal−20

Processing

  • Processed (NOVA 3)
    Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [4]
subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 2.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. [5]
  • Salt 1.5 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [6]
  • Protein 16.2 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−4
TOTAL 68Good

100 − 32 = 68

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

GTIN 00002828000057 · 2026-05-04

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy147 kcal
Fat8.8 g
Saturated fat2.9 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates2.9 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein16.2 g
Salt1.5 g

Serving: 68 g

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

skinless chicken meat, water, roasted red peppers (red peppers, water, salt, citric acid), contains 2% or less of seasoning (sea salt, sugar, jalapeno pepper, onion powder, garlic powder), jalapeno peppers

Allergens and diets

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest chicken sausages in the US

More from Trader Joe's

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  6. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int