Frozen foods
El Monterey Chicken & Cheese Taquitos
30 Taquitos, 51 oz (3 lb 3 oz)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 21
El Monterey Chicken & Cheese Taquitos scores 21 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Corn syrup solids: 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 frozen snacks and appetizers
-
Chicken & Cheese Taquitos Delimex · 19.2 unit No added sugars · No dextrose Score 60 out of 100 , 39 points higher -
Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos Trader Joe's · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 86 out of 100 , 65 points higher -
Chicken Taquitos Trader Joe's · 18 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 89 out of 100 , 68 points higher -
365 Everyday Value, Chicken Taquitos 365 Everyday Value · 15 oz/425 g No added sugars · No dextrose Score 83 out of 100 , 62 points higher -
Chicken Curry Empanadas Bettergoods No added sugars · No dextrose Score 66 out of 100 , 45 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Chicken & Cheese Taquitos
Ingredients
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Corn syrup solids minus 20 points
- Brown sugar minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 6 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 2.6 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 0.9 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 260 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Protein 10.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 79 = 21
Can’t score above 79. Contains dextrose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 260 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 13.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 24 g |
| Sugars | 1 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 10.4 g |
| Salt | 0.9 g |
Serving: 2 taquitos (96 g)
Ingredients
- WHEAT FLOUR (Enriched with Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid)
- WATER
- CHARBROILED CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT Charbroiled Chicken Breast with Rib Meat (Chicken Breast Meat with Rib Meat, Water, Seasoning, Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Lime Juice Powder)
- VEGETABLE OIL (Soybean, Canola, Corn Oil)
- MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes)
- Tomato Paste (Tomatoes)
- Modified Corn Starch
- Salt
- Jalapeno Puree (Jalapeno Peppers, Salt, Acetic Acid)
- Brown Sugar (high concern)
- Cilantro
- Spices
- Granulated Garlic
- Paprika
- Chili Pepper
- Dehydrated Onion
- Wheat Gluten
Label text, as published
WHEAT FLOUR (Enriched with Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), WATER, CHARBROILED CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT Charbroiled Chicken Breast with Rib Meat (Chicken Breast Meat with Rib Meat, Water, Seasoning [Maltodextrin, Garlic Powder, Dextrose, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Spice, Parsley, Natural Flavors (including Oil of Garlic)], Salt, Sodium Phosphate, Lime Juice Powder [Corn Syrup Solids, Natural Flavors (Lime Juice Solids, Natural Flavors)], May Also Contain Flavor [Maltodextrin, Natural Flavor, Modified Food Starch]), VEGETABLE OIL (Soybean, Canola, and/or Corn Oil), MONTEREY JACK CHEESE (Cultured Pasteurized Milk, Salt, Enzymes), Tomato Paste (Tomatoes), Modified Corn Starch, Salt, Jalapeno Puree (Jalapeno Peppers, Salt, Acetic Acid), Brown Sugar, Cilantro, Spices, Granulated Garlic, Paprika, Chili Pepper, Dehydrated Onion, Wheat Gluten
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Plastic, Cardboard
Context only: no points in v1.
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Beef Bulgogi Mandu Bibigo · 3 lb (48 oz) Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains emulsifiers studied for gut effectsContains seed oils Score 29 out of 100 Poor -
Ginger Chicken Dumplings Laoban · 8 oz Contains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 66 out of 100 Good -
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More from El Monterey
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
-
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
-
“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
-
“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
-
“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