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

Kefir 1 %

Trader Joe's Low Fat Kefir Plain Unsweetened

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
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Why it scores 68

Trader Joe's Low Fat Kefir Plain Unsweetened scores 68 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. Sugars 3.3 g / 100 ml: High in sugar. Strong
  3. Energy 38 kcal / 100 ml: Energy-dense for its volume. Info

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 Plain Unsweetened

START100

Ingredients

  • Pectin
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
subtotal−2.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
subtotal−18

Nutrition per 100 ml

  • Sugars 3.3 g / 100 ml
    Strong High in sugar. [2]
  • Energy 38 kcal / 100 ml
    Info Energy-dense for its volume. [3]
subtotal−12
TOTAL 68Good

100 − 32.5 = 67.5 → 68

GTIN 00005823000060 · 2026-01-26

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 ml

Energy38 kcal
Fat0.8 g
Saturated fat0.6 g
Carbohydrates3.8 g
Sugars3.3 g
Protein3.8 g
Salt0.1 g

Serving: 240 ml (240 ml)

Ingredients

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

PASTEURIZED GRADE A CULTURED LOWFAT MILK, PECTIN, PASTEURIZED GRADE A CULTURED NONFAT MILK, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, VITAMIN D3, LIVE AND ACTIVE CULTURES (L. casei, B. lactis, B. breve, B. longum, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, S. diacetylactis, S. florentinus, L. plantarum, L. cremoris, L. lactis, L. reuteri)

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan

Always check the package: recipes change.

More from Trader Joe's

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 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

  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