Chickens

Trader Joe's Chicken Meatballs

Name: Chicken Meatballs
Brand: Trader Joe's

12 oz

Excellent out of 100 High confidence

Why it scores 91

Trader Joe's Chicken Meatballs scores 91 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

minus 8 points Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
plus 4 points Protein 16.5 g / 100 g: A good source of protein. Info
minus 3 points Salt 0.9 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong

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

The Receipt

Chicken Meatballs

START100

Processing

Processed (NOVA 3) minus 8 points

Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [1]

subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

Saturated fat 3.5 g / 100 g minus 1.5 points

Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
Salt 0.9 g / 100 g minus 3 points

Strong High in salt. [3]
Energy 176 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points

Info Energy-dense for its weight. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [4]
Protein 16.5 g / 100 g plus 4 points

Info A good source of protein. [4]

subtotal−1

TOTAL 91Excellent

100 − 9 = 91

Serving: 6 meatball (85 g)

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.

Label text, as published

CHICKEN, SEA SALT, OREGANO, BASIL, VINEGAR POWDER, GRANULATED GARLIC, GRANULATED ONION, ROSEMARY EXTRACT, BLACK PEPPER, PARSLEY FLAKES

Always check the package: recipes change.

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

Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

doi.org
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

who.int
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
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