Hot sauces
Tapatio Salsa Picante Hot Sauce
140 mL
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
Why it scores 63
Tapatio Salsa Picante Hot Sauce scores 63 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 9 points Salt 4.5 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Sodium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better hot sauce
-
Original Recipe Hot Sauce with Cayenne Peppers, Original Recipe Pantry Basix · 10 fl oz/296 mL Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 98 out of 100 , 35 points higher -
Salsa Picante Valentina · 1 litro Not ultra-processed · No xanthan gum Score 78 out of 100 , 15 points higher -
The Classic Hot Sauce garlic fresno addition Heatonist · 5 fl oz/148 mL Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 90 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
Signature Harissa New York Shuk · 10 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Pepper Sauce Texas Pete Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 30 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Salsa Picante Hot Sauce
Ingredients
- Sodium benzoate minus 7.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 4.5 g / 100 g minus 9 points
100 − 37 = 63
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 0 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 4.5 g |
Serving: 1 tsp (5 g)
Ingredients
Label text, as published
water, red peppers, salt, spices, garlic, acetic acid, xanthan gum, sodium benzoate
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Glass
Context only: no points in v1.
More hot sauces on GoodSwap
-
Hot Sauce Cholula · 360 mL Ultra-processedHigh in salt Score 71 out of 100 Good -
Hot Sauce Cholula · 150 mL High in salt Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce Frank's Redhot · 12 oz High in saltNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
The Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce Louisiana · 177 mL High in saltNo additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Franks Red Hot Frank's · 148 × 5 mL No additives Score 79 out of 100 Good -
Original Hot Sauce Texas Pete · 6 oz Ultra-processedHigh in salt Score 71 out of 100 Good
More from Tapatio
Sources
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“Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)
“derived a group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw per day (expressed as benzoic acid) in accordance with the ADI previously derived by SCF and JECFA”
doi.org
-
“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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“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
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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