Hams

Hormel Natural Choice Honey deli Ham

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence

Contains nitrites or nitrates
Contains added sugars
No additives

Why it scores 45

Hormel Natural Choice Honey deli Ham scores 45 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

minus 20 points Honey: An added sugar. Strong
minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
minus 8 points Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging

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

Better deli meat

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

The Receipt

Honey deli Ham

START100

Ingredients

Honey minus 20 points

Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
Sugar minus 20 points

Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source) minus 7.5 points

Regulatory Provides nitrite like synthetic curing salts. [4][5]

subtotal−47.5

Processing

Processed (NOVA 3) minus 8 points

Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [6]

subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

Salt 1.5 g / 100 g minus 5 points

Strong High in salt. [7]
Protein 10 g / 100 g plus 2 points

Info A good source of protein. [2]

subtotal−3

Bonuses

No additives plus 3 points

Info No food additives in the ingredient list. [6]

subtotal+3

TOTAL 45Okay

100 − 55.5 = 44.5 → 45

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

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy	70 kcal
Fat	1.5 g
Saturated fat	0.5 g
Trans fat	0 g
Carbohydrates	3 g
Sugars	3 g
Fiber	0 g
Protein	10 g
Salt	1.5 g

Serving: 4 SLICES (56 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.

Label text, as published

pork, water, honey, salt, turbinado sugar, cultured celery powder, cherry powder, sea salt.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Celery

Not vegan
Not vegetarian
Gluten-free
Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Sources

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

International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

monographs.iarc.who.int
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
Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

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

The Lancet Oncology · December 2015 · IARC

doi.org

Score

Why it scores 45

Better deli meat

Nutrition per 100 g

Ingredients

Allergens and diets

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Sources