Cheeses
A.1. Original Sauce
20 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 28
A.1. Original Sauce scores 28 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Corn syrup: 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 barbecue sauce
-
Memphis bbq sauce True Made Foods Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 75 out of 100 , 47 points higher -
Organic Jalapeño Mango BBQ Sauce Primal Kitchen · 9.0 oz/256 g Less salt · No added sugars Score 72 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Japanese Barbecue Sauce Bachan's · 34 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 69 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Korean Style BBQ Sauce Primal Kitchen Not ultra-processed · No corn syrup Score 64 out of 100 , 36 points higher -
BBQ Sauce (low calorie) Good Food For Good · 9.5 oz/270 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 96 out of 100 , 68 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Original Sauce
Ingredients
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Caramel color minus 20 points
- Potassium sorbate minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Added sugars 11.8 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 1.7 g / 100 g minus 5 points
100 − 72 = 28
Can’t score above 79. Contains corn syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 88 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17.6 g |
| Sugars | 11.8 g |
| Added sugars | 11.8 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 1.7 g |
Serving: 1 Tbsp (17 g)
Ingredients
- tomato puree (water, tomato paste)
- vinegar
- corn syrup (high concern)
- salt
- raisin paste
- crushed orange puree
- spice
- dried garlic
- caramel color (high concern)
- dried unions (not recognized)
- potassium sorbate (to preserve)
Label text, as published
tomato puree (water, tomato paste), vinegar, corn syrup, salt, raisin paste, crushed orange puree, spice, dried garlic, caramel color, dried unions, potassium sorbate (to preserve
Allergens and diets
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More cheeses on GoodSwap
-
Light Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges The Laughing Cow · 8 × 19 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 66 out of 100 Good -
Low Fat Cottage Cheese Darigold · 113 g Ultra-processedContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsMay contain traces of 1,4-dioxane Score 57 out of 100 Okay -
String Cheese Frigo Cheese Heads · 28 g High in saltHigh in saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Medium Cheddar Tillamook · 7.5 oz/213 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 76 out of 100 Good -
Colby Jack Deli-Sliced Cheese Happy Farms by ALDI · 7.5 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 76 out of 100 Good -
Cheddar Cheese Crisps Whisps · 2.12 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatNo synthetic dyes Score 71 out of 100 Good
More from A.1.
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
-
“By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”
doi.org
-
21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate
ecfr.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
-
“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