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Trader Joe's Low Fat Kefir Strawberry
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Kefir

Trader Joe's Low Fat Kefir Strawberry

32 fl oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains added sugars
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 43

Trader Joe's Low Fat Kefir Strawberry scores 43 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Added sugars 3.8 g / 100 ml: High in sugar. Strong

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

Better kefir and yogurt drinks

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

The Receipt

Low Fat Kefir Strawberry

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Pectin
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [5][4]
subtotal−25

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Added sugars 3.8 g / 100 ml
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Energy 58 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
subtotal−11
TOTAL 43Okay

100 − 57 = 43

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

GTIN 00005823000053 · 2026-05-12

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy58 kcal
Fat1 g
Saturated fat0.6 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates7.5 g
Sugars7.5 g
Added sugars3.8 g
Fiber0 g
Protein3.8 g
Salt0.1 g

Serving: 240ml

Ingredients

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

PASTEURIZED GRADE A CULTURED LOW FAT MILK, CANE SUGAR, PECTIN, PASTEURIZED GRADE A NONFAT MILK, NATURAL STRAWBERRY FLAVOR WITH OTHER NATURAL FLAVORS, BEETROOT JUICE CONCENTRATE (COLOR), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D3, LIVE ACTIVE CULT RES (L. CASEI, L. LACTIS, L. ACIDOPHILUS, L. PLANTARUM, RHAMNOSUS, B. BACTERIUM LONGUM, LEUCONOSTOC CREMORIS, B.BACTERIUM BREVE, STREPTOCOCCUS DIACETYLACTIS, SACCAROMYCES FLORENTINUS, L. REUTERI, B. LACTIS). CULTURED AFTER PASTEURIZATION.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest kefir 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. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  6. 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

  7. 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