Sausages
Al Fresco Applewood Smoked Chicken Sausage
11 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 40
Al Fresco Applewood Smoked Chicken Sausage scores 40 out of 100 (Okay) 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 7.5 points Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source): Provides nitrite like synthetic curing salts. Regulatory
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sausages
-
Savory applewood smoked-chicken sausage Aidells · 340 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 78 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Smoked Chicken Sausage H-E-B Natural · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 80 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Organic Basil & Cracked Black Pepper Smoked Chicken Sausage Sabatino's · 36 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 79 out of 100 , 39 points higher -
Chorizo Smoked Chicken Sausage Aidells · 340 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 79 out of 100 , 39 points higher -
Chicken Pecan Smoked Sausage Holmes Smokehouse · 12 oz/340 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 39 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Applewood Smoked Chicken Sausage
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 1.5 points
- Maltodextrin 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
- Saturated fat 2.6 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 2.3 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Protein 17.9 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 60 = 40
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). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 154 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 9 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2.6 g |
| Sugars | 1.3 g |
| Added sugars | 1.3 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 17.9 g |
| Salt | 2.3 g |
Serving: 78g
Ingredients
- CHICKEN
- WATER
- SALT
- SUGAR (high concern)
- SPICES
- CULTURED CELERY POWDER (moderate concern)
- PAPRIKA
- SHIITAKE MUSHROOM POWDER
- MUSTARD
- PRUNE POWDER (not recognized)
- NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR
- YEAST EXTRACT
- DRIED GARLIC
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- MALTODEXTRIN
- DRIED LEMON PEEL
- TOMATO POWDER
Label text, as published
CHICKEN, WATER, SALT, SUGAR, SPICES, CULTURED CELERY POWDER, PAPRIKA, SHIITAKE MUSHROOM POWDER, MUSTARD, PRUNE POWDER, NATURAL SMOKE FLAVOR, YEAST EXTRACT, DRIED GARLIC, NATURAL FLAVORS, MALTODEXTRIN, DRIED LEMON PEEL, TOMATO POWDER.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Mustard, Celery
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sausages on GoodSwap
-
Chicken Breakfast Links Amylu · 40 oz Score 89 out of 100 Excellent -
Cooked Uncured Polish Sausage Teton Waters Ranch · 10 oz High in saltHigh in saturated fatNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Andouille Chicken Sausages Amylu · 40 oz High in salt Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Turkey Polska Kielbasa Hillshire Farm · 13 oz Ultra-processedContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugars Score 27 out of 100 Poor -
Turkey Sausage Links Jimmy Dean · 272 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 28 out of 100 Poor -
Turkey Sausage Crumbles Jimmy Dean · 9.6 oz/272 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 20 out of 100 Poor
More from Al Fresco
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
-
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
-
“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