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Perdue Chicken Breast Dino Nuggets
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Chicken nuggets

Perdue Chicken Breast Dino Nuggets

12 oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains added sugars
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 49

Perdue Chicken Breast Dino Nuggets scores 49 out of 100 (Okay) 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. Salt 1.3 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong

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

Better chicken nuggets and tenders

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

The Receipt

Chicken Breast Dino Nuggets

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Guar gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • 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. [5][4]
subtotal−25

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavoring and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 3.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [6]
  • Salt 1.3 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [7]
  • Energy 250 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
  • Protein 11.8 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−5
TOTAL 49Okay

100 − 51 = 49

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

GTIN 00072745001079 · 2026-09-14

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy250 kcal
Fat15.8 g
Saturated fat3.3 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates14.5 g
Sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein11.8 g
Salt1.3 g

Serving: 4 PIECES (76 g)

Recipe changed

  • Seed oils removed

Compared with an older list (Open Food Facts). The current list is from February 2023.

Ingredients

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

BONELESS CHICKEN BREAST WITH RIB MEAT, WATER, WHEAT FLOUR, YELLOW CORN FLOUR, YELLOW CORN MEAL. CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF VINEGAR, SALT, SUGAR, LEAVENING (CREAM OF TARTAR, SODIUM BICARBONATE), SPICE, YEAST, GUAR GUM, GARLIC POWDER, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, NATURAL FLAVOR, BLACK PEPPER EXTRACT.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest chicken nuggets in the US

More from Perdue

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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