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El Monterey Southwest Chicken Taquitos
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Frozen foods

El Monterey Southwest Chicken Taquitos

20.7 oz/1.30 lb

Poor out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains seed oils
  • Contains palm oil
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 36

El Monterey Southwest Chicken Taquitos scores 36 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. 7 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), firming agent, flavoring, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, modified starch and sequestrant. Emerging

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

Better frozen snacks and appetizers

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

The Receipt

Southwest Chicken Taquitos

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Vegetable oil (unspecified)
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Soybean oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Corn oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Sodium acid pyrophosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [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][10]
  • Palm oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [11][12][13]
  • Sodium phosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [8]
  • Modified starch
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [10]
  • Sodium hexametaphosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [8]
  • Calcium chloride
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [10]
  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [10]
  • Wheat gluten
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [10]
subtotal−33.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [10]
  • 7 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), firming agent, flavoring, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, modified starch and sequestrant. [10]
subtotal−26

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 3.1 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. [11]
  • Salt 1 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [14]
  • Energy 245 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Protein 8.2 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−5
TOTAL 36Poor

100 − 64.5 = 35.5 → 36

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

GTIN 00071007722110 · 2026-08-14

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy245 kcal
Fat11.2 g
Saturated fat3.1 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates26.5 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber1 g
Protein8.2 g
Salt1 g

Serving: 3 taquitos (98 g)

Ingredients

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

WATER ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (ENRICHED WITH NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN FOLIC ACID). VEGETABLE OIL (SOYBEAN, CANOLA AND/OR CORN OIL), BATTER SEASONING (YELLOW CORN FLOUR, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (ENRICHED WITH NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), SPICES, SALT, JALAPENO PEPPER, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE) , GUARGUM, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA AND TURMERIC, FLAVORS), PASTEURIZED PROCESS MONTEREY JACK AND AMERICAN CHEESE BLEND WITH PEPPERS PASTEURIZED PROCESS MONTEREY JACK AND AMERICAN CHEESE BLEND WITH PEPPERS (JACK AND AMERICAN CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), WATER, SKIM MILK, PALM OIL, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, PEPPERS (RED, GREEN AND JALAPENO PEPPERS), SALT , LACTIC ACID), LOW MOISTURE MOZZARELLA CHEESE LOW MOISTURE MOZZARELLA CHEESE (PASTEURIZED MILK, CHEESE CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), COOKED CHICKEN COOKED CHICKEN (CHICKEN, WATER, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, SALT , SODIUM PHOSPHATE) , COOKED BLACK BEANS (WATER, BLACK BEANS), PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEDDAR CHEESE PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEDDAR CHEESE (CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), WATER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS SODIUM PHOSPHATE, MILKFAT , SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE, SALT, VEGETABLE COLOR (ANNATTO AND PAPRIKA OLEORESIN)) SPINACH RED BELL PEPPER CORN CONTAINS 2% OR LESS MODIFIED CORN STARCH, JALAPENO PEPPER (WITH SALT , ACETIC ACID, CALCIUM CHLORIDE), CILANTRO, SALT, SPICES, GARLIC (WITH CITRIC ACID), CHILI PEPPER, SMOKE POWDER (MALTODEXTRIN, NATURAL HICKORY SMOKE FLAVOR), DOUGH CONDITIONERS (YEAST, WHEAT GLUTEN, SUGAR, GUARGUM, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH).

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten

  • Not vegan
  • Not vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest frozen foods in the US

More from El Monterey

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. 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

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  5. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  7. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  8. EFSA issues new advice on phosphates

    European Food Safety Authority · Jun 12, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”

    efsa.europa.eu

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  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. Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods

    European Food Safety Authority · May 3, 2016 · Agency assessment

    “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

  13. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  14. 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

  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