Beef sausages
Hebrew National Jumbo Beef Franks
12 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- High in saturated fat
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
Why it scores 39
Hebrew National Jumbo Beef Franks scores 39 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sodium nitrite: IARC classifies ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as Group 2A; it classifies processed meat as Group 1. Regulatory
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 9 points Saturated fat 10.6 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better hot dogs
-
Uncured beef Franks Market side uncured · 4 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Uncured Beef Junior Franks 36 oz Not ultra-processed · No sodium nitrite Score 79 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Organic Uncured Grass Fed Beef Hot Dogs Trader Joe's · 47 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 79 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Uncured Beef Hot Dogs Teton Waters Ranch Not ultra-processed · No sodium nitrite Score 79 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
Uncured Beef Hot Dog Applegate Organics · 10 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 40 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Jumbo Beef Franks
Ingredients
- Sodium nitrite minus 20 points
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 10.6 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Salt 2.4 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Energy 306 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Protein 11.8 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 61.5 = 38.5 → 39
Can’t score above 79. Contains sodium nitrite, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5]
Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [11]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 306 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 27.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 10.6 g |
| Trans fat | 1.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.5 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 11.8 g |
| Salt | 2.4 g |
Serving: 1 Frank (85 g)
Ingredients
- BEEF
- WATER
- SALT
- SPICE
- SODIUM ACRATE PAPRIKA
- HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN
- GARLIC POWDER
- SODIUM DIACETATE
- SODIUM ERYTHORBATE
- FLAVORING
- SODIUM NITRITE (high concern)
Label text, as published
BEEF, WATER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF: SALT, SPICE, SODIUM ACRATE PAPRIKA, HYDROLYZED SOY PROTEIN, GARLIC POWDER, SODIUM DIACETATE, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, FLAVORING, SODIUM NITRITE.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
“the presence of nitrites and nitrates in foods can give rise to the formation of nitrosamines some of which are carcinogenic.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
EFSA confirms safe levels for nitrites and nitrates added to food
“They concluded that when nitrites are used at approved levels, their contribution to overall exposure to nitrosamines is of low concern for health.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern
“Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern”
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
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Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
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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