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Carando Italian Style Meatballs
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Frozen meats

Carando Italian Style Meatballs

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • High in saturated fat
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 46

Carando Italian Style Meatballs scores 46 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole): IARC classifies BHA as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), based on animal studies. Regulatory
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Salt 1.6 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong

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

Better meatballs

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

The Receipt

Italian Style Meatballs

START100

Ingredients

  • BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
    Regulatory IARC classifies BHA as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans), based on animal studies. [1][2][3][4][5]
  • Powdered cellulose
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
  • Potassium sorbate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI of 11 mg/kg body weight (as sorbic acid); generally recognized as safe in the US. [7][8]
  • 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. [9][6]
  • Propyl gallate
    Regulatory The EU permits it (E 310) only in listed foods, up to maximum levels. [10]
subtotal−28

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [6]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: anti-caking agent, color (added) and flavoring. [6]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 8.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [11]
  • Salt 1.6 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [12]
  • Energy 292 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [13]
  • Protein 16.8 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [13]
subtotal−5
TOTAL 46Okay

100 − 54 = 46

Can’t score above 79. Contains BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5]

Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [14]

GTIN 00070247178114 · 2026-05-13

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy292 kcal
Fat23.9 g
Saturated fat8.9 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates1.8 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein16.8 g
Salt1.6 g

Serving: 3 meatballs (113 g)

Ingredients

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

PORK, PARMESAN CHEESE (PASTEURIZED PART SKIM MILK, SALT, ENZYMES, CHEESE CULTURES, CELLULOSE POWDER, STARCH, POTASSIUM SORBATE). LESS THAN 2% OF THE FOLLOWING: SALT, DEHYDRATED PARSLEY, NATURAL FLAVORINGS, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, WATER, VINEGAR, POTASSIUM LACTATE, BHA, PROPYL GALLATE, CITRIC ACID.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest frozen meats in the US

More from Carando

Sources

  1. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  2. Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity

    California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) · Jul 31, 2026 · Law

    “The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”

    oehha.ca.gov

  3. Report on Carcinogens, 15th Edition: Butylated Hydroxyanisole

    U.S. National Toxicology Program · Dec 21, 2021 · Agency assessment

    “Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.”

    ntp.niehs.nih.gov

  4. List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Jul 29, 2026 · Regulator

    “The table below includes select food ingredients (including food and color additives), food contact substances, and contaminants under FDA review as of May 12, 2026 .”

    fda.gov

  5. Statement on the safety assessment of the exposure to butylated hydroxyanisole E 320 (BHA) by applying a new exposure assessment methodology

    European Food Safety Authority · Jul 24, 2012 · Agency assessment

    “The Panel concluded that exposure to BHA from its use as food additive based on new exposure estimates does not exceed the ADI of 1 mg/kg bw/day at the mean”

    doi.org

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Mar 1, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “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

  8. 21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ecfr.gov

  9. 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

  10. Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 of 11 November 2011 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 by establishing a Union list of food additives

    European Union (Official Journal) · Nov 11, 2011 · Law

    “E 127 Erythrosine 200 only cocktail cherries and candied cherries”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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