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

Frozen meats

Trader Joe's MAHI MAHI Burgers

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains seed oils
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Why it scores 72

Trader Joe's MAHI MAHI Burgers scores 72 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Protein 16.5 g / 100 g: A good source of protein. Info
  3. 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.

Better burgers and patties

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

The Receipt

MAHI MAHI Burgers

START100

Ingredients

  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [5][6]
  • Dextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
  • Sunflower oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
subtotal−9

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [6]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavoring and modified starch. [6]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 1.1 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [7]
  • Salt 0.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [8]
  • Protein 16.5 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [9]
subtotal+0.5
TOTAL 72Good

100 − 28 = 72

GTIN 00009100004468 · 2026-05-17

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy154 kcal
Fat9.9 g
Saturated fat1.1 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates0 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Protein16.5 g
Salt0.9 g

Serving: 1 burger (91 g)

Ingredients

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

mahi-mahi, water, canola oil, contains 2% or less of: rice flour, spices, paprika, parsley, sea salt, natural smoke flavor, potato extract, natural grill flavor (tapioca dextrin, sunflower oil, acetic acid), mustard flour, rosemary flavor, parfried in canola oil, contains mahi-mahi,

Allergens and diets

Contains: Fish, Mustard

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest frozen meats in the US

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. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  11. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org