Jimmy Dean Simple scrambles meat lovers

5.35 oz/151 g

Poor out of 100 Medium confidence

Ultra-processed
High in saturated fat
Contains nitrites or nitrates
Contains added sugars
No synthetic dyes

Why it scores 20

Jimmy Dean Simple scrambles meat lovers scores 20 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

minus 20 points Sausage and cured meats: IARC classifies processed meat (cured, salted, smoked or fermented) as Group 1, based on colorectal cancer; each 50 g eaten daily is linked to an 18% higher risk. Regulatory
minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong

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

Better breakfast sandwiches and egg bites

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

The Receipt

Simple scrambles meat lovers

START100

Ingredients

Sausage and cured meats minus 20 points

Regulatory IARC classifies processed meat (cured, salted, smoked or fermented) as Group 1, based on colorectal cancer; each 50 g eaten daily is linked to an 18% higher risk. [1][2]
Sugar minus 20 points

Strong An added sugar. [3][4][5]
Caramel color minus 10 points

Regulatory The FDA says classes III and IV, which can contain 4-MEI, are the most commonly used food color additives by volume. [6][7][8][9]

subtotal−50

Processing

Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points

Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [10]
3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points

Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer and flavoring. [10]

subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

Saturated fat 5.3 g / 100 g minus 5 points

Strong High in saturated fat. [11]
Salt 1.2 g / 100 g minus 5 points

Strong High in salt. [12]
Energy 199 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points

Info Energy-dense for its weight. [4]
Protein 14.6 g / 100 g plus 2 points

Info A good source of protein. [4]

subtotal−9

TOTAL 20Poor

100 − 80 = 20

Can’t score above 79. Contains sausage and cured meats, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][13][14][15]

Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [16]

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy	199 kcal
Fat	14.6 g
Saturated fat	5.3 g
Trans fat	0 g
Carbohydrates	2 g
Sugars	0.7 g
Added sugars	0 g
Fiber	0 g
Protein	14.6 g
Salt	1.2 g

Serving: 1 PACKAGE (151 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.

Label text, as published

PASTEURIZED LIQUID WHOLE EGG BLEND: PASTEURIZED LIQUID WHOLE EGG, WATER, SALT, CITRIC ACID, FULLY COOKED PORK SAUSAGE CRUMBLES: PORK, SEASONING (SALT, SPICES, SUGAR, MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE), WATER, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS: POTASSIUM LACTATE, CARAMEL COLOR, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM DIACETATE, PASTEURIZED PROCESS CHEDDAR CHEESE: CHEDDAR CHEESE (MILK, CHEESE CULTURE, SALT, ENZYMES), WATER, CREAM, SODIUM PHOSPHATE, SALT, SODIUM CITRATE, SORBIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE), VEGETABLE COLOR (ANNATTO AND PAPRIKA EXTRACT BLEND), POTATO STARCH (PROCESSING AID), AND NATAMYCIN (PRESERVATIVE), FULLY COOKED BACON BITS: BACON (CURED WITH WATER, SALT, SUGAR, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE), SMOKE FLAVORING.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Egg

Not vegan
Not vegetarian
Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Sources

IARC Monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat (Press Release No. 240)

International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · Oct 26, 2015 · IARC

“Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”

iarc.who.int
Carcinogenicity of consumption of red and processed meat (IARC Monographs Vol. 114 working group summary)

The Lancet Oncology · December 2015 · IARC

doi.org
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
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
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
Questions & Answers About 4-MEI

U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Mar 27, 2020 · Regulator

“Based on current science, the FDA has no reason to believe that there are any immediate or short-term health risks presented by 4-MEI at the levels expected in food.”

fda.gov
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

monographs.iarc.who.int
Caramel Color in Soft Drinks and Exposure to 4-Methylimidazole: A Quantitative Risk Assessment

PLOS ONE · Feb 18, 2015 · Peer-reviewed

doi.org
Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity

California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) · Jul 31, 2026 · Law

“The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”

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

Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

doi.org
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
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
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2108 of 6 October 2023 amending Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as regards food additives nitrites (E 249–250) and nitrates (E 251–252)

European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 6, 2023 · Law

“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

European Food Safety Authority · Jun 15, 2017 · Agency assessment

“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

European Food Safety Authority · Mar 28, 2023 · Agency assessment

“Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern”

efsa.europa.eu
Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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
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

Score

Why it scores 20

Better breakfast sandwiches and egg bites

Nutrition per 100 g

Ingredients

Allergens and diets

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Sources