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Taco Bell Hot Sauce
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Hot sauces

Taco Bell Hot Sauce

7.5 oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
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Why it scores 57

Taco Bell Hot Sauce scores 57 out of 100 (Okay) 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. Sodium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
  3. Salt 1.8 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong

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

Better hot sauce

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

The Receipt

Hot Sauce

START100

Ingredients

  • Sodium benzoate
    Strong Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. [1][2][3]
  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • 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. [5][4]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Calcium lactate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
subtotal−15.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: firming agent, flavor enhancer, flavoring and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−22.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 1.8 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [6]
subtotal−5
TOTAL 57Okay

100 − 43 = 57

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

GTIN 00021000046935 · 2026-04-20

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy0 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Carbohydrates0 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt1.8 g

Serving: 5g

Ingredients

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

TOMATO PUREE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), WATER, VINEGAR, JALAPENO PEPPERS, SALT, CHILI PEPPERS, DRIED ONION, XANTHAN GUM, SPICES, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM BENZOATE (AS A PRESERVATIVE), AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, NATURAL FLAVORS, YEAST EXTRACT, CALCIUM LACTATE

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest hot sauces in the US

More from Taco Bell

Sources

  1. Benzene production from decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and a transition-metal catalyst

    Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · May 1993 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

    The Lancet · November 2007 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  3. Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)

    European Food Safety Authority · Oct 30, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “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

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. 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

  6. 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

  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

  10. 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