Vegan patties
Trader Joe's Vegetable masala burgers
10 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- Contains emulsifiers studied for gut effects
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 46
Trader Joe's Vegetable masala burgers scores 46 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
- minus 7.5 points Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose): In a small randomized feeding trial, carboxymethylcellulose modestly increased abdominal discomfort and reduced gut microbiota diversity; in mice it promoted low-grade inflammation. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better burgers and patties
-
Cauliflower & Broccoli Vegetable Patties Trader Joe's · 4, 7 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 85 out of 100 , 39 points higher -
Kofta Masala Mix Lazzat · 50 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 95 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Black Bean Quinoa Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's · 10 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 93 out of 100 , 47 points higher -
California Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's · 10 oz/283 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 93 out of 100 , 47 points higher -
Mushroom Risotto Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods · 10 oz/283 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 99 out of 100 , 53 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Vegetable masala burgers
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Cellulose gum (carboxymethylcellulose) minus 7.5 points
- Canola oil minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 1.4 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Energy 197 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 54 = 46
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 197 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 9.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.7 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26.8 g |
| Sugars | 2.8 g |
| Added sugars | 1.4 g |
| Fiber | 2.8 g |
| Protein | 2.8 g |
| Salt | 1.4 g |
Serving: 1 burger (71 g)
Ingredients
- Potatoes
- canola oil
- carrots
- green beans
- bread crumbs (wheat flour, sugar, yeast, salt)
- bell peppers
- onions
- corn
- water
- salt
- sugar (high concern)
- spices
- ginger
- cellulose gum (moderate concern)
- green pepper
- citric acid
- turmeric
- mustard seeds
Label text, as published
Potatoes, canola oil, carrots, green beans, bread crumbs (wheat flour, sugar, yeast, salt), bell peppers, onions, corn, water, salt, sugar, spices, ginger, cellulose gum, green pepper, citric acid, turmeric, mustard seeds.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Wheat, Gluten, Mustard
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More vegan patties on GoodSwap
More from Trader Joe's
Sources
-
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
-
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Relative to control subjects, CMC consumption modestly increased postprandial abdominal discomfort and perturbed gut microbiota composition in a way that reduced its diversity.”
doi.org
-
Dietary emulsifiers impact the mouse gut microbiota promoting colitis and metabolic syndrome
“carboxymethylcellulose and polysorbate-80, induced low-grade inflammation and obesity/metabolic syndrome in wild-type hosts and promoted robust colitis in mice predisposed to this disorder.”
doi.org
-
“This study found positive associations between risk of CVD and intake of five individual and two groups of food additive emulsifiers widely used in industrial foods.”
doi.org
-
“The Panel concluded that there was no need for a numerical ADI and that there would be no safety concern at the reported uses and use levels for the unmodified and modified celluloses”
doi.org
-
“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
-
“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
-
“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