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Trader Joe's Rice Orzo Pilaf Mix
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Rice dishes

Trader Joe's Rice Orzo Pilaf Mix

7 oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Seed-oil free
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Why it scores 57

Trader Joe's Rice Orzo Pilaf Mix scores 57 out of 100 (Okay) 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. Salt 2.5 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: emulsifier, flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and modified starch. Emerging

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

Better rice and pasta side dishes

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

The Receipt

Rice Orzo Pilaf Mix

START100

Ingredients

  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • 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. [2][1]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Modified starch
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Soy lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
subtotal−10.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: emulsifier, flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and modified starch. [1]
subtotal−24

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 2.5 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [3]
  • Energy 456 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [4]
  • Protein 10.3 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [4]
subtotal−9
TOTAL 57Okay

100 − 43.5 = 56.5 → 57

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]

GTIN 00009576000094 · 2026-02-18

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy456 kcal
Fat2.9 g
Carbohydrates72.1 g
Sugars1.5 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber2.9 g
Protein10.3 g
Salt2.5 g

Serving: 0.3 cup (68 g)

Ingredients

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

Parboiled long grain rice, enriched orzo pasta (semolina [wheat], niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, and folic acid), chicken flavor broth (chicken stock, maltodextrin [corn], salt, natural flavor, yeast extract, modified starch, thiamine [vitamin b] and soy lecithin), salt, powdered chicken fat & chicken broth (chicken fat, chicken broth, and natural flavor [extract of rosemary]), natural flavor, onion powder, garlic powder, turmeric, dehydrated chives, pepper.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

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More from Trader Joe's

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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