Cereals and their products
Near East COUSCOUS MIX Parmesan
5.9 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains seed oils
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 62
Near East COUSCOUS MIX Parmesan scores 62 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7 points Salt 2.2 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 4.5 points 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial protein. Emerging
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better rice and pasta side dishes
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Couscous Mix Rice Bowl · 62 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Sprouted Organic Quinoa Blend Truroots Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Long grain jasmine rice Vigo · 2 lb Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Arborio Rice Vigo · 12 oz/340 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Organic Protein Bowl Garden Pesto Seeds of Change · 36 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 38 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
COUSCOUS MIX Parmesan
Ingredients
- Yeast extract minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
- Soy protein isolate / concentrate minus 1.5 points
- Soybean oil minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 2.2 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 357 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 3.6 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 14.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 38 = 62
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 357 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 2.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.9 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 69.6 g |
| Sugars | 3.6 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3.6 g |
| Protein | 14.3 g |
| Salt | 2.2 g |
Serving: 1 serving (56 g)
Ingredients
- DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA
- WHEY
- PARMESAN CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
- SALT
- AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT
- CULTURED BUTTERMILK
- CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
- SUNFLOWER OIL
- OLIVE OIL
- PARSLEY
- BLUE CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
- NATURAL FLAVOR
- ROMANO CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES)
- YEAST EXTRACT
- SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE
- ANNATTO (COLOR)
- SOYBEAN OIL
Label text, as published
DURUM WHEAT SEMOLINA, WHEY, PARMESAN CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), SALT, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, CULTURED BUTTERMILK, CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), SUNFLOWER OIL, OLIVE OIL, PARSLEY*, BLUE CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), NATURAL FLAVOR, ROMANO CHEESE (MILK, CULTURES, SALT, ENZYMES), YEAST EXTRACT, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, ANNATTO (COLOR), SOYBEAN OIL.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More cereals and their products on GoodSwap
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healthy grains granola Dark Chocolate Kind · 11 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsContains whole grains Score 23 out of 100 Poor -
Original Shell Pasta & Cheese Sauce Velveeta · 12 oz (340 g) Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains seed oilsNo synthetic dyes Score 56 out of 100 Okay -
healthy grains granola Peanut Butter Kind · 11 oz Contains added sugarsSeed-oil freeContains whole grains Score 48 out of 100 Okay -
Rotini Ronzoni · 16 oz/454 g No additivesContains whole grains Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Rotini Great Value · 16 oz No additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
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More from Near East
-
COUSCOUS MIX Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil Near East · 5.8 oz Score 71 out of 100 Good -
Rice Pilaf Mix Original Near East · 6.09 Score 71 out of 100 Good -
COUSCOUS MIX Mediterranean Curry Near East · 161 g Score 49 out of 100 Okay -
QUINOA & BROWN RICE BLEND Roasted Red Pepper & Basil Near East Score 52 out of 100 Okay
Sources
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“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
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“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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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
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“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
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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
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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“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