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Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix Original
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Spices

Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix Original

1 oz (28 g)

Good out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains seed oils
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Why it scores 60

Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix Original scores 60 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Salt 14 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. Maltodextrin: An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

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

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

The Receipt

Taco Seasoning Mix Original

START100

Ingredients

  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Vegetable oil (unspecified)
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [2][3][4][5]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [2][3][4][5]
  • Soybean oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [2][3][4][5]
  • 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. [6][1]
subtotal−10.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavoring and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [1]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 14 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [7]
  • Energy 300 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [8]
subtotal−10
TOTAL 60Good

100 − 40 = 60

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]

GTIN 00046000288697 · 2026-08-31

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy300 kcal
Fat0 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates60 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein0 g
Salt14 g

Serving: 2 tsp (5 g)

Ingredients

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

Corn Starch, Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Spice, Onion Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Vegetable Oil (canola, and/or high oleic soybean oil) Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.

Allergens and diets

  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest spices in the US

More from Old El Paso

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

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

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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