GoodSwap Get notified
Trader Joe's Buttermilk Protein Pancake Mix
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Pancake mixes

Trader Joe's Buttermilk Protein Pancake Mix

1 lb

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains whole grains
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 72

Trader Joe's Buttermilk Protein Pancake Mix scores 72 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. Salt 1.6 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
  3. Fiber 7.5 g / 100 g: A good source of fiber. Strong

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

Better pancake and waffle mix

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

The Receipt

Buttermilk Protein Pancake Mix

START100

Ingredients

  • Wheat gluten
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Whey protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Milk protein concentrate / isolate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • 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. [2]
subtotal−9

Processing

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

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 1.6 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [3]
  • Energy 350 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [4]
  • Fiber 7.5 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [4]
  • Protein 25 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [4]
subtotal−1
TOTAL 72Good

100 − 28 = 72

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]

GTIN 00006189000077 · 2026-06-09

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy350 kcal
Fat2.5 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates57.5 g
Sugars2.5 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber7.5 g
Protein25 g
Salt1.6 g

Serving: 0.333 cup (40 g)

Ingredients

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

WHITE WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR, WHEAT PROTEIN ISOLATE, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, WHOLE GRAIN OAT FLOUR, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, LEAVENING (CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, BAKING SODA), BUTTERMILK POWDER, SEA SALT CONTAINS MILK, WHEAT.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest pancake mixes in the US

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. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  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