Beef jerkies
Jack Link's Jerky
2.85 oz/81 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- High in salt
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 7
Jack Link's Jerky scores 7 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Brown sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better jerky and meat sticks
-
Original Beef Mini Stick Chomps · 0.5 oz/14 g Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 75 out of 100 , 68 points higher -
Turkey Stick Mini Archer · .46 oz Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 82 out of 100 , 75 points higher -
Italian Beef Flavor Grass Fed Beef Snack Sticks Chomps · 115 oz Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 79 out of 100 , 72 points higher -
Original beef jerky Field Trip · 2.2 oz/62 g Not ultra-processed · Less sugar Score 57 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Beef Snack Sticks Greenridge Naturals · 36 oz Less sugar · No nitrites or nitrates Score 73 out of 100 , 66 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Jerky
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Brown sugar minus 20 points
- Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 1 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 28.6 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Saturated fat 1.8 g / 100 g minus 0.5 points
- Salt 2.5 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 286 kcal / 100 g minus 0.5 points
100 − 93.5 = 6.5 → 7
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). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 286 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 5.4 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28.6 g |
| Sugars | 28.6 g |
| Added sugars | 28.6 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 32.1 g |
| Salt | 2.5 g |
Serving: 1 serving (28 g)
Ingredients
- BEEF
- WATER
- SUGAR (high concern)
- BROWN SUGAR (high concern)
- SEA SALT
- FLAVORS
- YEAST EXTRACT
- CULTURED CELERY EXTRACT (moderate concern)
- BEEF STOCK
- CITRIC ACID
- PINEAPPLE POWDER
Label text, as published
BEEF, WATER, SUGAR, BROWN SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SEA SALT, FLAVORS, YEAST EXTRACT, CULTURED CELERY EXTRACT, BEEF STOCK, CITRIC ACID, PINEAPPLE POWDER.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Celery
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More beef jerkies on GoodSwap
-
Minis Original Archer · 1 stick 14 g Contains nitrites or nitrates Score 80 out of 100 Excellent -
Archer Original Beef Stick Mini Archer · 0.5 oz (14 g) High in saltHigh in saturated fatContains nitrites or nitrates Score 72 out of 100 Good -
Original Beef Stick Chomps · 1.15 oz (33 g) High in saltHigh in saturated fatContains nitrites or nitrates Score 75 out of 100 Good -
Beef Jerky Original Tillamook Country Smoker Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains nitrites or nitratesNo additives Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Beef Jerky Classic Think Jerky High in saltContains added sugarsNo additives Score 32 out of 100 Poor -
Jalapeno Beef Stick Paleovalley · 1 oz High in saltHigh in saturated fatContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugars Score 55 out of 100 Okay
More from Jack Link's
Sources
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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
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
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Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
“the presence of nitrites and nitrates in foods can give rise to the formation of nitrosamines some of which are carcinogenic.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“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