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Jack Link's Beef Jerky Original
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Beef jerkies

Jack Link's Beef Jerky Original

280 g

Bad out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in salt
  • Contains nitrites or nitrates
  • Contains added sugars
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Why it scores 8

Jack Link's Beef Jerky Original scores 8 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Brown sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  3. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4, estimated): No NOVA group on file; estimated from 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better jerky and meat sticks

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Beef Jerky Original

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Brown sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source)
    Regulatory Provides nitrite like synthetic curing salts. [4][5]
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
subtotal−50

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4, estimated)
    Strong No NOVA group on file; estimated from 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers. [6]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [6]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 21.4 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 1.8 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [7]
  • Salt 4.6 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [8]
  • Energy 286 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
subtotal−21
TOTAL 8Bad

100 − 92 = 8

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]

GTIN 00017082884008 · 2026-03-25

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy286 kcal
Fat5.4 g
Saturated fat1.8 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates21.4 g
Sugars21.4 g
Added sugars21.4 g
Fiber0 g
Protein35.7 g
Salt4.6 g

Serving: 1 portion (28 g)

Ingredients

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

BEEF, WATER, SUGAR, BROWN SUGAR, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF SEA SALT, SALT, SOY SAUCE (WHEAT, SOYBEANS, SALT), HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, YEAST EXTRACT, FLAVORS, MALTODEXTRIN, CULTURED CELERY EXTRACT, BEEF STOCK, PINEAPPLE POWDER, CITRIC ACID.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Celery

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest beef jerkies in the US

More from Jack Link's

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. 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

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  5. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 of 6 October 2023 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards food additives nitrites (E 249–250) and nitrates (E 251–252)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 6, 2023 · Law

    “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

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat (IARC Monographs Vol. 114 working group summary)

    The Lancet Oncology · December 2015 · IARC

    doi.org