Salad dressings
Heinz Zesty italian dressing
5
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 36
Heinz Zesty italian dressing scores 36 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Salt 2.4 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better vinaigrettes and Italian dressings
-
Zesty Italian Chosen Foods · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 43 points higher -
Organic Fat Free Zesty Italian Dressing & Marinade Sprouts Less salt · No added sugars Score 74 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Zesty Italian Vinaigrette Wegmans Organic · 12 fl oz/355 mL Not ultra-processed · No calcium disodium EDTA Score 63 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO SALAD with Balsamic Vinaigrette Trader Joe's Less salt · No added sugars Score 77 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Organic Balsamic Vinaigrette (57141) Litehouse · 11.25 fl oz/332 mL Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 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
Zesty italian dressing
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Soybean oil minus 2.5 points
- Canola oil minus 1.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 1.5 points
- Calcium disodium EDTA minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 6.5 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Saturated fat 1.6 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 2.4 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 194 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
100 − 64.5 = 35.5 → 36
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). [11]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 194 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 14.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9.7 g |
| Sugars | 6.5 g |
| Added sugars | 6.5 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 2.4 g |
Serving: 31g
Ingredients
- VINEGAR
- WATER
- BLEND OF VEGETABLE OILS (SOYBEAN OIL, CANOLA OIL)
- SUGAR (high concern)
- SALT
- GARLIC
- RED BELL PEPPERS
- ONIONS
- XANTHAN GUM
- SPICE
- OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR)
- POTASSIUM SORBATE AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR)
Label text, as published
VINEGAR, WATER, BLEND OF VEGETABLE OILS (SOYBEAN OIL, CANOLA OIL), SUGAR, SALT, GARLIC*, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF RED BELL PEPPERS*, ONIONS*, XANTHAN GUM, SPICE, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR), POTASSIUM SORBATE AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR).
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More salad dressings on GoodSwap
-
The Original Ranch Condiment & Dressing Hidden Valley · 16 fl oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 27 out of 100 Poor -
Ranch Dressing & Marinade Primal Kitchen · 8 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltSeed-oil free Score 70 out of 100 Good -
Classic Ranch Yogurt Dressing & Dip Bolthouse Farms · 12 fl oz/355 mL Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 34 out of 100 Poor -
Poppyseed Dressing & Marinade Primal Kitchen · 8 fl oz/236 mL Ultra-processedContains non-nutritive sweetenersContains added sugarsSeed-oil free Score 48 out of 100 Okay -
Creamy french dressing Kraft · 16 fl oz/1 PT/473 mL Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in salt Score 0 out of 100 Bad -
Fuji apple vinaigrette dressing Panera · 12 fl oz/355 mL Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 13 out of 100 Bad
More from Heinz
Sources
-
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
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
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
-
“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