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Zatarain's Black Beans & Rice
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Rice dishes

Zatarain's Black Beans & Rice

7 oz/198 g

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains seed oils
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 72

Zatarain's Black Beans & Rice scores 72 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Salt 3 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. Fiber 10 g / 100 g: A good source of fiber. Strong

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

Better rice and pasta side dishes

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

The Receipt

Black Beans & Rice

START100

Ingredients

  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Soybean oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [2][3][4][5]
subtotal−5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added) and flavor enhancer. [1]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [6]
  • Energy 320 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [7]
  • Fiber 10 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [7]
  • Protein 14 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [7]
subtotal−4
TOTAL 72Good

100 − 28.5 = 71.5 → 72

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]

GTIN 00071429099432 · 2025-09-04

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy320 kcal
Fat2 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates72 g
Sugars2 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber10 g
Protein14 g
Salt3 g

Serving: 1 serving (50 g)

Ingredients

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

ENRICHED LONG GRAIN PARBOILED RICE (RICE, IRON, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, FOLIC ACID), BLACK BEANS, YEAST EXTRACT, SALT, ONION, MALTED BARLEY FLOUR, RED AND GREEN BELL PEPPER, SPICES (INCLUDING RED PEPPER), GARLIC, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), POTATO, CITRIC ACID, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, TAMARI SOY SAUCE (SOYBEAN, SALT) & NATURAL FLAVOR.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest rice dishes in the US

More from Zatarain's

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

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

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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