Beef jerkies
Jack Link's Beef Jerky Teriyaki
16 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains added sugars
- No additives
Why it scores 30
Jack Link's Beef Jerky Teriyaki scores 30 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- 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
- minus 11 points Sugars 21.4 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 jerky and meat sticks
-
Teriyaki Beef Jerky Tillamook Country Smoker · 6.5 oz/184 g No added sugars · No brown sugar Score 66 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Teriyaki Archer · 2 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 66 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
Original Beef Mini Stick Chomps · 0.5 oz/14 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 75 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Italian Beef Flavor Grass Fed Beef Snack Sticks Chomps · 115 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Beef Snack Sticks Greenridge Naturals · 36 oz No nitrites or nitrates · No added sugars Score 73 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
Beef Jerky Teriyaki
Ingredients
- Brown sugar minus 20 points
- Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 21.4 g / 100 g minus 11 points
- Saturated fat 1.8 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 4.9 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 286 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 70 = 30
Can’t score above 79. Contains brown sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in 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 | 21.4 g |
| Sugars | 21.4 g |
| Added sugars | 21.4 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 35.7 g |
| Salt | 4.9 g |
Serving: 16 16 servings per container (28 g)
Ingredients
- BEEF
- BROWN SUGAR (high concern)
- WATER
- SOY SAUCE (WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT)
- SALT
- BEEF STOCK
- FLAVORS
- CULTURED CELERY EXTRACT (moderate concern)
- PINEAPPLE POWDER
Label text, as published
BEEF, BROWN SUGAR, WATER, SOY SAUCE (WATER, WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT), CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SALT, BEEF STOCK, FLAVORS, CULTURED CELERY EXTRACT, PINEAPPLE POWDER.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Celery
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- 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 Jack Link's · 8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugars Score 8 out of 100 Bad -
Jack Links Beef Steak Jerky Original Muscle Milk · 2 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugars Score 26 out of 100 Poor -
EPIC Venison bar Epic · 37 g High in saltHigh in saturated fatContains nitrites or nitrates Score 74 out of 100 Good
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