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Knorr Spanish Rice
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Rice dishes

Knorr Spanish Rice

67 g

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains added sugars
  • Seed-oil free
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Why it scores 40

Knorr Spanish Rice scores 40 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. 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 rice and pasta side dishes

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

The Receipt

Spanish Rice

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Disodium guanylate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Disodium inosinate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [5][4]
subtotal−29.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [4]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 4.7 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some sugar. [1]
  • Salt 2.4 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [6]
  • Energy 359 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 4.7 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
  • Protein 9.4 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−10
TOTAL 40Okay

100 − 60.5 = 39.5 → 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). [7]

GTIN 00041000022685 · 2026-10-03

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy359 kcal
Fat1.6 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates76.6 g
Sugars4.7 g
Added sugars1.6 g
Fiber4.7 g
Protein9.4 g
Salt2.4 g

Serving: 1 serving (63 g)

Recipe changed

  • Seed oils removed

Compared with an older list (Open Food Facts). The current list is from July 2022.

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

PARBOILED LONG GRAIN RICE, VERMICELLI (WHEAT FLOUR, DURUM FLOUR), TOMATO POWDER, SALT, LESS THAN 2% OF: MALTODEXTRIN (CORN), SPICES, SUGAR, POTASSIUM SALT, OLIVE OIL, YEAST EXTRACT, RED BELL PEPPERS, GREEN BELL PEPPERS, PAPRIKA (FOR COLOR), DISODIUM GUANYLATE, DISODIUM INOSINATE, GARLIC POWDER, CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORS, VITAMINS AND MINERALS: FERRIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE (IRON), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), FERROUS SULFATE (IRON), FOLIC ACID.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Wheat, Gluten

  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Plastic aluminium

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest rice dishes in the US

More from Knorr

Sources

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  6. 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

  7. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  8. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  9. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org