Sauces
Tabasco Sweet & Spicy Sauce
11 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 36
Tabasco Sweet & Spicy Sauce scores 36 out of 100 (Poor) 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 14 points Sugars 60 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better hot sauce
-
Mild and Sweet Buffalo Sauce Primal Kitchen · 8.5 oz/241 g Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 79 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Hot & Spicy Pepper Sauce Boar's Head Provision Co. Inc. · 5 mL Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 79 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Probiotic Kimchi Live Sriracha; Spicy Korean Wildbrine · 8.5 oz/241 g Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 79 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Sweet Potato Habanero Hot Sauce Trader Joe's · 148 mL Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 71 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Italian Bomba Hot Pepper Sauce Trader Joe's Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 79 out of 100 , 43 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Sweet & Spicy Sauce
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Xanthan gum minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 60 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Salt 3.8 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 300 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 64.5 = 35.5 → 36
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in sugars and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 60 g |
| Sugars | 60 g |
| Added sugars | 40 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 3.8 g |
Serving: 1 portion (5 ml)
Ingredients
- SUGAR (high concern)
- RED PEPPER
- WATER
- DISTILLED VINEGAR
- PEAR CONCENTRATE
- GARLIC
- ONION
- TABASCO BRAND PEPPER SAUCE (DISTILLED VINEGAR, RED PEPPER, SALT)
- GINGER
- SALT
- XANTHAN GUM
- SPICES
Label text, as published
SUGAR, RED PEPPER, WATER, DISTILLED VINEGAR, PEAR CONCENTRATE, GARLIC, ONION, TABASCO BRAND PEPPER SAUCE (DISTILLED VINEGAR, RED PEPPER, SALT), GINGER, SALT, XANTHAN GUM, SPICES
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sauces on GoodSwap
-
Original Sloppy Joe Sauce Manwich · 15 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugars Score 43 out of 100 Okay -
Spicy Chili Crisp Laoganma · 7.41 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 26 out of 100 Poor -
Red Enchilada Sauce Old El Paso · 10 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 46 out of 100 Okay -
Sea Salt Caramel Ghirardelli · 16 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugars Score 11 out of 100 Bad -
The Original Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce Kikkoman · 15 fl oz/444 mL Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugars Score 37 out of 100 Poor -
Chiu Chow Style Chilli Oil Lee Kum Kee · 205 g High in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 49 out of 100 Okay
More from Tabasco
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
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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