Cereals and their products
Near East Pearled Couscous Mix Basil & Herb
5 oz/144 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 65
Near East Pearled Couscous Mix Basil & Herb scores 65 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 2.1 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 3 points 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: 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
-
Couscous Mix Rice Bowl · 62 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Sprouted Organic Quinoa Blend Truroots Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Long grain jasmine rice Vigo · 2 lb Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Arborio Rice Vigo · 12 oz/340 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Organic Protein Bowl Garden Pesto Seeds of Change · 36 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 35 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Pearled Couscous Mix Basil & Herb
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
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 2.1 g / 100 g minus 7 points
- Energy 357 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 5.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 14.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 35 = 65
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 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 71.4 g |
| Sugars | 1.8 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 5.4 g |
| Protein | 14.3 g |
| Salt | 2.1 g |
Serving: 1 portion (56 g)
Ingredients
- Couscous (wheat)
- garlic
- autolyzed yeast extract
- parmesan cheese (milk, cultures, salt, enzymes)
- salt
- basil
- onions
- sunflower oil
- butter (cream, salt)
- cultured nonfat milk
- olive oil
- yeast extract
- parsley
- romano cheese (milk, cultures, salt, enzymes)
- natural flavor
- soy protein isolate
Label text, as published
Couscous (wheat), garlic*, autolyzed yeast extract, parmesan cheese (milk, cultures, salt, enzymes), salt, basil, onions*, sunflower oil, butter (cream, salt), cultured nonfat milk, olive oil, yeast extract, parsley*, romano cheese (milk, cultures, salt, enzymes), natural flavor, soy protein isolate. *dried
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Not vegan
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Paper
Context only: no points in v1.
More cereals and their products on GoodSwap
-
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 -
Quinoa & Brown Rice Blend Rosemary & Olive Oil Near East Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 27 out of 100 Poor -
Couscous Mix Toasted Pine Nut Near East · 158 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains seed oils Score 65 out of 100 Good -
Elbow Macaroni Creamette · 16 oz/454 g No additives Score 100 out of 100 Excellent
More from Near East
Sources
-
“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
-
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
-
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
-
“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