Hot sauces
Salsa Huichol Hot Sauce
6.5 fl oz (190 mL)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
Why it scores 65
Salsa Huichol Hot Sauce scores 65 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Sodium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
- minus 7 points Salt 2 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better hot sauce
-
Marie sharps orange pulp habanero hot sauce Melinda's Limited · 5 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Signature Harissa New York Shuk · 10 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Original Recipe Hot Sauce with Cayenne Peppers, Original Recipe Pantry Basix · 10 fl oz/296 mL Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 98 out of 100 , 33 points higher -
Pepper Sauce Texas Pete Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 28 points higher -
Organic Hot Sauce Cloud 23 Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Hot Sauce
Ingredients
- Sodium benzoate minus 7.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
100 − 35 = 65
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 15 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Salt | 2 g |
Serving: 100 ml
Ingredients
- Water
- Chili Peppers
- lodized salt
- Acetic acid "as acidifier and pH regulator"
- Spices
- Xanthan gum
- Sodium benzoate "as preservative" (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
Water, Chili Peppers, lodized salt, Acetic acid "as acidifier and pH regulator", Spices, Xanthan gum, Sodium benzoate "as preservative". FD&C Yellow No.6 "as colorant"
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Hdpe 2 high density polyethylene, Pet 1 polyethylene terephthalate
Context only: no points in v1.
More hot sauces on GoodSwap
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Hot Sauce Cholula · 360 mL Ultra-processedHigh in salt Score 71 out of 100 Good -
Hot Sauce Cholula · 150 mL High in salt Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Frank's Redhot · 12 oz High in saltNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Hot sauce Baumer Foods Inc. · 177 mL High in saltNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Clásico Salsa en Polvo Tajin · 255 g High in salt Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce Huy Fong Foods · 255 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugars Score 37 out of 100 Poor
Sources
-
“Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)
“derived a group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw per day (expressed as benzoic acid) in accordance with the ADI previously derived by SCF and JECFA”
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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“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
-
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