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Trader Giotto's Meatballs Italian Style
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Frozen meat balls

Trader Giotto's Meatballs Italian Style

16 oz (1 lb) 454 g

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains added sugars
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Why it scores 50

Trader Giotto's Meatballs Italian Style scores 50 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Salt 1.6 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong

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

Better meatballs

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

The Receipt

Meatballs Italian Style

START100

Ingredients

  • Dextrose
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Soy protein isolate / concentrate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
subtotal−22.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: industrial protein and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [4]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 11.3 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [5]
  • Salt 1.6 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [6]
  • Energy 338 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
  • Protein 15.5 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−8.5
TOTAL 50Okay

100 − 50.5 = 49.5 → 50

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

Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]

GTIN 00004491000099 · 2026-01-12

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy338 kcal
Fat28.2 g
Saturated fat11.3 g
Carbohydrates7 g
Sugars2.8 g
Fiber1.4 g
Protein15.5 g
Salt1.6 g

Serving: 2 meatballs (71 g)

Ingredients

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

Beef, Water, Seasonings (Bread Crumbs [Wheat Flour, Salt, Ammonium Bicarbonate (Leavening agent), Parmesan Cheese [Part Skim Cow's Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Vegetable Rennet], Salt, Dextrose, Dehydrated Onion, Dehydrated Red & Green Bell Peppers, Spices & Spice Extractives, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Parsley). Textured Soy Flour, Soy Protein Concentrate. CONTAINS WHEAT, MILK, SOY.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

More from Trader Giotto'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

  7. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  8. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  9. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org