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96/4 Lean Ground Beef Walmart
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Beef

96/4 Lean Ground Beef Walmart

4 oz

Excellent out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • No additives
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Why it scores 86

96/4 Lean Ground Beef Walmart scores 86 out of 100 (Excellent) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  2. Protein 21.4 g / 100 g: A good source of protein. Info
  3. No additives: No food additives in the ingredient list. Info

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

The Receipt

Walmart

START100

Ingredients

  • 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. [1][2]
subtotal−2.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [2]
subtotal−18

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 1.8 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [3]
  • Protein 21.4 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [4]
subtotal+3.5

Bonuses

  • No additives
    Info No food additives in the ingredient list. [2]
subtotal+3
TOTAL 86Excellent

100 − 14 = 86

GTIN 00078742269580 · 2025-12-24

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy125 kcal
Fat4 g
Saturated fat1.8 g
Carbohydrates0 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein21.4 g
Salt0.2 g

Serving: 112g

Ingredients

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

GROUND BEEF, NATURAL FLAVORINGS

Allergens and diets

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest beef in the US

Sources

  1. 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

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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