Cookies
Voortman Bakery Shortbread Cookies zero sugar
8 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains sugar alcohols
- Contains seed oils
- Contains palm oil
Why it scores 58
Voortman Bakery Shortbread Cookies zero sugar scores 58 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
- minus 5 points Saturated fat 5 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better cookies
-
Butter Sugar Palmier Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
Cappellos Brown Butter Sugar Cookies Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 78 out of 100 , 20 points higher -
Cinnamon Sugar Cookie Fit Butters · 16 oz/1 lb/454 g No non-nutritive sweeteners · No sugar alcohols Score 69 out of 100 , 11 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Shortbread Cookies zero sugar
Ingredients
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Vegetable oil (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Canola oil minus 2.5 points
- Soybean oil minus 1.5 points
- Palm kernel oil minus 1.5 points
- Maltitol minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 5 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 0.6 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Fiber 5 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 42.5 = 57.5 → 58
Can’t score above 79. High in fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [17]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 50 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 25 g |
| Saturated fat | 5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 65 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Salt | 0.6 g |
Serving: 1 COOKIE (20 g)
Ingredients
- ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID)
- VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, SOYBEAN, PALM AND PALM KERNEL)
- MALTITOL
- SALT
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- ACESULFAME POTASSIUM (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), VEGETABLE OIL (CANOLA, SOYBEAN, PALM AND PALM KERNEL), MALTITOL, SALT, NATURAL FLAVORS, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not gluten-free
- Not palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More cookies on GoodSwap
-
Fig Bar Blueberry Nature's Bakery · 2 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 14 out of 100 Bad -
Crunchy Breakfast Biscuits Belvita · 1.76 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oils Score 15 out of 100 Bad -
belVita Crunchy Blueberry Breakfast Biscuits Belvita · 1.76 oz Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effects Score 15 out of 100 Bad -
Chocolate Wafers Voortman Bakery · 10.6 oz/300 g Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 30 out of 100 Poor -
GLUTEN FREE WAFERS chocolat au lait Glutino · 130 g Ultra-processedHigh in sugarHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 29 out of 100 Poor -
Soft baked oats chocolate breakfast biscuits count box Belvita · 8.8 oz/250 g Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsContains whole grains Score 15 out of 100 Bad
More from Voortman Bakery
Sources
-
Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”
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
-
“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
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods
“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
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)
“‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
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
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“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