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Rice A Roni Spanish Rice
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Rice dishes

Rice A Roni Spanish Rice

6.8 oz/192 g

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
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Why it scores 66

Rice A Roni Spanish Rice scores 66 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. Salt 3.8 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein: An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

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

Spanish Rice

START100

Ingredients

  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
    Strong The FDA considers MSG generally recognized as safe; some sensitive people report mild, short-lived symptoms after 3 g or more without food. [2][3][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. [4][1]
subtotal−7.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavor enhancer and flavoring. [1]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 3.8 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [5]
  • Energy 321 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [6]
  • Fiber 3.6 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [6]
  • Protein 8.9 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [6]
subtotal−7
TOTAL 66Good

100 − 34 = 66

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]

GTIN 00015300430532 · 2026-10-05

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy321 kcal
Fat0.2 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates73.2 g
Sugars3.6 g
Added sugars0.1 g
Fiber3.6 g
Protein8.9 g
Salt3.8 g

Serving: 3 serving (931 g)

Ingredients

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

rice, wheat flour, onions, salt, green bell pepper*, hydrolyzed soy protein, monosodium glutamate, natural flavor, paprika (color), spices, ferric orthophosphate, niacin, iron, garlic, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid, riboflavin. *dried. contains soy and wheat ingredients.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest rice dishes in the US

More from Rice A Roni

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Questions and Answers on Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Jul 17, 2026 · Regulator

    “FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).”

    fda.gov

  3. EFSA reviews safety of glutamates added to food

    European Food Safety Authority · Jul 12, 2017 · Agency assessment

    “EFSA re-assessed the safety of glutamates used as food additives and derived a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 30 mg/kg body weight per day for all six of these additives.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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