Sauces
Colavita Balsamic Vinegar
15 mL
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 30
Colavita Balsamic Vinegar scores 30 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Fruit juice concentrate (sweetener): An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Caramel color: The FDA says classes III and IV, which can contain 4-MEI, are the most commonly used food color additives by volume. Regulatory
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better vinegar
-
Balsamic vinegar Pompeian · 16 fl oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 100 out of 100 , 70 points higher -
Balsamic vinegar of modena Not ultra-processed · No caramel color Score 77 out of 100 , 47 points higher -
Balsamic vinegar Alessi · 8.5 fl oz/250 mL Not ultra-processed · No caramel color Score 78 out of 100 , 48 points higher -
Good and gather balsamic vinegar Good & Gather · 16.9 fl oz/500 mL Not ultra-processed · No caramel color Score 72 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Organic Balsamic Vinegar Of Modena Napoleon · 15 mL Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 93 out of 100 , 63 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Balsamic Vinegar
Ingredients
- Fruit juice concentrate (sweetener) minus 20 points
- Caramel color minus 20 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 20 g / 100 g minus 11 points
100 − 70.5 = 29.5 → 30
Can’t score above 79. Contains fruit juice concentrate (sweetener), an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 100 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Sugars | 20 g |
| Added sugars | 13.3 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 0.1 g |
Serving: 1 portion (15 ml)
Ingredients
Label text, as published
WINE VINEGAR, CONCENTRATED GRAPE MUST, CARAMEL COLOR.
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More sauces on GoodSwap
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Original Sloppy Joe Sauce Manwich · 15 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugars Score 43 out of 100 Okay -
Spicy Chili Crisp Laoganma · 7.41 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 26 out of 100 Poor -
Red Enchilada Sauce Old El Paso · 10 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 46 out of 100 Okay -
Spinach & Artichoke Hummus Sabra · 10 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Creamy homestyle classic chocolate Duncan Hines · 16 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 2 out of 100 Bad -
Light Mayo Great Value · 18 fl oz/532 mL Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 37 out of 100 Poor
More from Colavita
-
Extra virgin olive oil Colavita · 34 fl oz/1 L Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Olive oil extra virgin Colavita · 8.5 fl oz/250 mL Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Colavita · 15 mL Score 100 out of 100 Excellent - Extra Virgin Olive Oil Colavita · 15 mL Score 95 out of 100 Excellent
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
-
Questions & Answers About 4-MEI
“Based on current science, the FDA has no reason to believe that there are any immediate or short-term health risks presented by 4-MEI at the levels expected in food.”
fda.gov
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity
“The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”
oehha.ca.gov
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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