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Zesta Original Saltine Crackers
16 oz (1 lb)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 45
Zesta Original Saltine Crackers scores 45 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Corn syrup: 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 3.7 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 crackers
-
Saltines Food Lion Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 89 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Unsalted Saltine Crackers Wal-Mart Stores Inc. · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 82 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Premium Unsalted Tops Saltine Crackers Nabisco Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 82 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Saltine Crackers Better Living Brands LLC · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 77 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Saltine Crackers Bowl & Basket · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 81 out of 100 , 36 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Original Saltine Crackers
Ingredients
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Soybean oil minus 2.5 points
- Soy lecithin minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 3.7 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 400 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
100 − 55.5 = 44.5 → 45
Can’t score above 79. Contains corn syrup, 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 | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 10 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 80 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 6.7 g |
| Salt | 3.7 g |
Serving: 5 Crackers (15 g)
Ingredients
- ENRICHED FLOUR (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid)
- SOYBEAN OIL (with TBHQ for freshness)
- SALT
- CORN SYRUP (high concern)
- baking soda
- yeast
- soy lecithin
Label text, as published
INGREDIENTS: ENRICHED FLOUR (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, vitamin B1 [thiamin mononitrate], vitamin B2 [riboflavin], folic acid), SOYBEAN OIL (with TBHQ for freshness), SALT, CORN SYRUP. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF baking soda, yeast, soy lecithin.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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belVita Crunchy Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits Belvita · 1.76 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 15 out of 100 Bad -
Lightly salted cashews Southern Grove · 1.35 oz Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in salt Score 5 out of 100 Bad -
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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
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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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“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
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“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
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“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