Snacks
Trader Joe's Spicy Tempura Seaweed Snack
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 50
Trader Joe's Spicy Tempura Seaweed Snack scores 50 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- plus 4 points Fiber 6.7 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 seaweed snacks
-
Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack Kirkland Signature · 17 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 91 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Organic BigSheets - Premium Roasted Seaweed - Sea Salt Gimme · 0.92 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack Kirkland · 17 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Roasted Seaweed Snacks Gimme · 0.17 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Roasted Seaweed Snacks Simply Nature Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 29 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Spicy Tempura Seaweed Snack
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 2.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 1.5 points
- Rice bran oil minus 1.5 points
- Maltodextrin minus 1.5 points
- Soybean oil minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Energy 567 kcal / 100 g minus 3 points
- Fiber 6.7 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 50 = 50
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 567 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 36.7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 50 g |
| Fiber | 6.7 g |
| Protein | 6.7 g |
Serving: 30.0g
Ingredients
Label text, as published
TEMPURA FLOUR MIX (WHEAT FLOUR, MODIFIED TAPIOCA STARCH, WHITE PEPPER, LEAVENING [BAKING POWDER (SODIUM, ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, BAKING SODA, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CORNSTARCH), SALT, SUGAR, YEAST EXTRACT), RICE BRAN OIL (RICE BRAN OIL, ROSEMARY EXTRACT, NORI SEAWEED, TOGARASHI STYLE SEASONING (SUGAR, SPICE MIX [CHILI PEPPER, GARLIC POWDER, PAPRIKA, RED CHILI POWDER, BLACK PEPPER], SALT, MALTODEXTRIN, YEAST EXTRACT, SOYBEAN OIL
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More snacks on GoodSwap
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Yoggies Natures Garden Probiotic Strawberry Yoggies · (20 g) 0.7 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsContains palm oil Score 47 out of 100 Okay -
Crispy Coconut Rolls Organic · 312 g High in sugarHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsCertified organic Score 27 out of 100 Poor -
Protein Peanut butter Dark Chocolate chewy bar Nature Valley Protein · 40 g Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 9 out of 100 Bad -
Almond coconut treat Confetteria · 5.3 oz/150 g Ultra-processedHigh in sugarHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 36 out of 100 Poor -
Turtle Chips Snack Seaweed ORION Orion Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains non-nutritive sweeteners Score 13 out of 100 Bad -
Arroz Con Leche Corn Puffs Los Carnales · 3 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsContains artificial flavors Score 28 out of 100 Poor
More from Trader Joe's
Sources
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Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
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Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
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EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“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
-
“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
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“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