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Utz Specials original pretzels
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Salty snacks

Utz Specials original pretzels

26 oz

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in salt
  • Contains seed oils
  • Contains palm oil
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Why it scores 79

Utz Specials original pretzels scores 79 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Salt 4 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  2. Vegetable oil (unspecified): High in omega-6 linoleic acid. Emerging
  3. Corn oil: High in omega-6 linoleic acid. Emerging

Capped at 79: High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level).

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

Better pretzels

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

The Receipt

Specials original pretzels

START100

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil (unspecified)
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
  • Corn oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
  • Sunflower oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [1][2][3][4]
  • Palm oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [5][6][7]
subtotal−10.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 4 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [8]
  • Energy 393 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [9]
  • Fiber 3.6 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [9]
subtotal−9
TOTAL 79Good

100 − 19.5 = 80.5 → 81 → capped at 79

Capped at 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [10]

GTIN 00041780351289 · 2023-05-25

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy393 kcal
Fat5.4 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates75 g
Sugars0 g
Fiber3.6 g
Protein7.1 g
Salt4 g

Serving: about 5 prtzls. (28 g)

Ingredients

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

WHEAT-FLOUR, SALT, VEGETABLE OIL (CORN OIL, SUNFLOWER OIL, CANOLA OIL, AND/OR PALM OIL), YEAST, CITRIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, BAKING SODA.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Wheat

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

More from Utz

Sources

  1. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  2. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  3. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  4. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  6. Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods

    European Food Safety Authority · May 3, 2016 · Agency assessment

    “The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  7. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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