Hams
Land O'Frost Old World Style Black Forest Ham
16 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 24
Land O'Frost Old World Style Black Forest Ham scores 24 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Ham: IARC classifies processed meat (cured, salted, smoked or fermented) as Group 1, based on colorectal cancer; each 50 g eaten daily is linked to an 18% higher risk. Regulatory
- minus 20 points Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
- 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 deli meat
-
Black Forest Uncured Ham Applegate Naturals · 56 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 69 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Black Forest Uncured Ham 365 Whole Foods Market · 14 oz Not ultra-processed · No ham Score 62 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Black Forest Uncured Ham Applegate · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No ham Score 61 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Organic Black Forest Uncured Ham 365 Whole Foods · 2.0 oz Not ultra-processed · No ham Score 62 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Black Forest Uncured Ham Dietz & Watson · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 71 out of 100 , 47 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Old World Style Black Forest Ham
Ingredients
- Ham minus 20 points
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Caramel color minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 2.8 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Protein 16 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 76 = 24
Can’t score above 79. Contains ham, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][12][13][14]
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [15]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 120 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated fat | 1 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 2 g |
| Sugars | 2 g |
| Added sugars | 2 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 16 g |
| Salt | 2.8 g |
Serving: 50 gl (50 g)
Ingredients
- HAM CURED WITH WATER (high concern)
- SALT
- VINEGAR
- DEXTROSE (high concern)
- MODIFIED CORN STARCH
- CARAMEL COLOR (high concern)
- SODIUM ERYTHORBATE
- SODIUM PHOSPHATES
- SODIUM NITRITE (high concern)
Label text, as published
HAM CURED WITH WATER, SALT. LESS THAN 2% OF VINEGAR, DEXTROSE, MODIFIED CORN STARCH, CARAMEL COLOR, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM NITRITE.
Allergens and diets
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
-
IARC Monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat (Press Release No. 240)
“Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”
iarc.who.int
-
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
-
“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
-
“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
-
EFSA confirms safe levels for nitrites and nitrates added to food
“They concluded that when nitrites are used at approved levels, their contribution to overall exposure to nitrosamines is of low concern for health.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern
“Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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