Rice dishes
Zatarain's Yellow rice
6.9 oz (195 g)
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 26
Zatarain's Yellow rice scores 26 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Brown sugar: 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 rice and pasta side dishes
-
Yellow rice American Spice No added sugars · No sugar Score 70 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
COUSCOUS MIX Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Near East · 5.8 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 71 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Rice Pilaf Mix Original Near East · 6.09 No added sugars · No sugar Score 71 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Jambalaya Long Grain Rice Mix with Vegetables & Spices Zatarain's · 8 oz No added sugars · No sugar Score 67 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Jambalaya reduced sodium rice dinner mix Zatarain's · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 53 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Yellow rice
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Brown sugar minus 20 points
- Yeast extract minus 2.5 points
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 3.1 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 357 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Protein 8.9 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 74 = 26
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 357 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 76.8 g |
| Sugars | 1.8 g |
| Added sugars | 1.8 g |
| Fiber | 1.8 g |
| Protein | 8.9 g |
| Salt | 3.1 g |
Serving: 1 serving (56 g)
Ingredients
- enriched long grain parboiled rice (rice, iron, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid)
- onion
- salt
- yeast extract
- red (not recognized)
- green bell pepper
- sugar (high concern)
- garlic
- hydrolyzed soy protein
- spices (including turmeric, red pepper)
- brown sugar (high concern)
- natural flavor
Label text, as published
enriched long grain parboiled rice (rice, iron, niacin, thiamine mononitrate, folic acid), onion, salt, yeast extract, red , green bell pepper, sugar, garlic, hydrolyzed soy protein, spices (including turmeric, red pepper), brown sugar , natural flavor,
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More rice dishes on GoodSwap
-
Spanish Rice Knorr · 67 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsSeed-oil free Score 40 out of 100 Okay -
Rice & Pasta Blend in a Savory Chicken Flavored Sauce Knorr · 65 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsSeed-oil free Score 24 out of 100 Poor -
CHEDDAR BROCCOLI flavor Rice, pasta, cheddar cheese and broccoli with other natural flavors Rice A Roni · 6.5 oz/184 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains palm oil Score 13 out of 100 Bad -
Cilantro Lime Rice with zesty cilantro lime seasoning Rice A Roni · 5.6 oz/160 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugars Score 45 out of 100 Okay -
Rice Pilaf Mix Garlic & Herb Near East Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains seed oils Score 58 out of 100 Okay -
Original Long Grain & Wild Rice Near East · 6 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains whole grains Score 67 out of 100 Good
More from Zatarain's
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
-
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
-
“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