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

Food

Trader Joe's Gochujang Paste

7.05 oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in sugar
  • High in salt
  • Contains added sugars
  • No additives
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Why it scores 46

Trader Joe's Gochujang Paste scores 46 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Sugars 28.6 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong
  3. Salt 6.1 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong

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

Better hot sauce

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

The Receipt

Gochujang Paste

START100

Ingredients

  • Corn syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Alcohol (ethanol)
    Regulatory IARC classifies alcoholic beverages as Group 1; the small amounts used as a solvent in flavorings are not comparable with drinking. [4][5]
subtotal−22.5

Processing

  • Processed (NOVA 3)
    Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [6]
subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 28.6 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Salt 6.1 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [7]
  • Energy 214 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
subtotal−24
TOTAL 46Okay

100 − 54.5 = 45.5 → 46

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

Can’t score above 79. High in sugars and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]

GTIN 00007324000068 · 2025-05-26

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy214 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates57.1 g
Sugars28.6 g
Added sugars28.6 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt6.1 g

Serving: 1 tsp. (7 g)

Ingredients

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

RICE, TAPIOCA SYRUP, RED PEPPER SEASONING (RED PEPPER POWDER, WATER, SALT, GARLIC, ONION), WATER, SEA SALT, ETHYL ALCOHOL (TO PRESERVE). MAY CONTAIN SOY, WHEAT.

Allergens and diets

May contain: Soy, Gluten

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Pp 5 polypropylene

Context only: no points in v1.

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. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  5. About Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

    U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Aug 14, 2026 · Regulator

    “There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.”

    cdc.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. 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

  8. 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