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Trader Joe's Pepita Salsa
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Food

Trader Joe's Pepita Salsa

12 oz

Excellent out of 100 High confidence
  • Contains seed oils
  • No additives
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Why it scores 88

Trader Joe's Pepita Salsa scores 88 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
  2. Salt 1.5 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong
  3. No additives: No food additives in the ingredient list. Info

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

Better salsa

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

The Receipt

Pepita Salsa

START100

Ingredients

  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
subtotal−2.5

Processing

  • Processed (NOVA 3)
    Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [5]
subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 1.5 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [6]
subtotal−5

Bonuses

  • No additives
    Info No food additives in the ingredient list. [5]
subtotal+3
TOTAL 88Excellent

100 − 12.5 = 87.5 → 88

GTIN 00006204000082 · 2025-12-19

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy100 kcal
Fat8.3 g
Saturated fat0 g
Carbohydrates6.7 g
Sugars3.3 g
Protein3.3 g
Salt1.5 g

Ingredients

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

TOMATOES, ONIONS, RED BELL PEPPER PUREE (RED BELL PEPPERS CITRIC ACID), DRY ROASTED PEPITAS, CONCENTRATED CRUSHED TOMATOES, RED BELL PEPPERS, EXPELLER PRESSED CANOLA OIL, WATER, DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR, SEA SALT, CILANTRO, GARLIC, ONION POWDER, LIME JUICE CONCENTRATE, SPICES, CHIPOTLE POWDER

Allergens and diets

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Glass

Context only: no points in v1.

More from Trader Joe's

Sources

  1. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”

    doi.org

  2. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  3. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  4. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  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