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Trader Joe's Almond Beverage Original Unsweetened
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Almond-based drinks

Trader Joe's Almond Beverage Original Unsweetened

1.89 L

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
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Why it scores 69

Trader Joe's Almond Beverage Original Unsweetened scores 69 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Calcium phosphate: EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. Strong
  3. Gellan gum: An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

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

Better plant milks

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

The Receipt

Almond Beverage Original Unsweetened

START100

Ingredients

  • Calcium phosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [1]
  • Gellan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [2]
  • Potassium phosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [1]
  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [2]
  • Sunflower lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [2]
subtotal−10.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [2]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: emulsifier and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [2]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Energy 13 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. [3]
subtotal−1
TOTAL 69Good

100 − 31 = 69

GTIN 00005085000075 · 2026-09-29

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy13 kcal
Fat1 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates0.4 g
Sugars0.4 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0.4 g
Protein0.4 g
Salt0.2 g

Serving: 1 portion (1 cup)

Ingredients

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

Almond base (filtered water, almonds), tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, gellan gum, dipotassium phosphate, xanthan gum, sunflower lecithin, vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d2, d-alpha tocopherol (vitamin e).

Allergens and diets

Contains: Tree nuts

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest almond-based drinks in the US

More from Trader Joe's

Sources

  1. EFSA issues new advice on phosphates

    European Food Safety Authority · Jun 12, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”

    efsa.europa.eu

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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