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

Waffles

Trader Joe's Belgium waffles

4

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains seed oils
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 67

Trader Joe's Belgium waffles scores 67 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. 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and industrial fat. Emerging
  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 frozen waffles and pancakes

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

The Receipt

Belgium waffles

START100

Ingredients

  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
  • Margarine
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • 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. [6][5]
subtotal−7.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [5]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and industrial fat. [5]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 1.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. [7]
  • Salt 0.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [8]
  • Energy 313 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [9]
subtotal−5
TOTAL 67Good

100 − 33.5 = 66.5 → 67

GTIN 00009696000073 · 2026-05-26

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy313 kcal
Fat15 g
Saturated fat1.3 g
Trans fat1.3 g
Carbohydrates37.5 g
Sugars3.8 g
Added sugars3.8 g
Fiber2.5 g
Protein6.3 g
Salt0.9 g

Serving: 2 waffles (80 g)

Ingredients

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

Wheat Flour, Canola OI, Liquid Margarine (Rapeseed Oil Water. Mono - And Diglycerides of Fatty ACids Citric Acid, Beta-carotene [Color] Natural Flavor). Egg Yolks Sugar, Leavening Agents (Disodlum Diphosphate. Sodum Hydrogen Carbonate, Ammonlum Bicarbonate), Soy Flour, Salt, Natural Flavors. CONTAINS EGG, SOY, WHEAT MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF MILK, COCONUT.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Egg

May contain: Milk, Tree nuts

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. 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

  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