Sauces
Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Garlic Sauce
368 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 41
Lee Kum Kee Black Bean Garlic Sauce scores 41 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- 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
- minus 9 points Salt 14.7 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better marinades and cooking sauces
-
Chunky Corn & Black Bean Good & Gather · 24 oz/680 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Avocado Mash with Sea Salt & Black Pepper Good Foods · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 94 out of 100 , 53 points higher -
Mussels in tomato garlic sauce Aldi · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Garlic Sauce Karam's · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Garlic Sauce (Lebanese Toom) Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 79 out of 100 , 38 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Black Bean Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Soybean oil minus 2.5 points
- Wine minus 2.5 points
- Modified starch minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 15.8 g / 100 g minus 8 points
- Salt 14.7 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Fiber 5.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 59.5 = 40.5 → 41
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 158 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 5.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21.1 g |
| Sugars | 15.8 g |
| Added sugars | 11.1 g |
| Fiber | 5.3 g |
| Protein | 10.5 g |
| Salt | 14.7 g |
Serving: 1 tbsp (18 g)
Ingredients
- SOY SAUCE (WATER, SALT, SOYBEANS, WHEAT FLOUR)
- FERMENTED BLACK BEANS (BLACK BEANS, SALT, WATER)
- WATER
- SUGAR (high concern)
- DEHYDRATED GARLIC
- SALT
- SOYBEAN OIL
- RICE WINE (WATER, RICE, WHEAT)
- MODIFIED CORN STARCH
Label text, as published
SOY SAUCE (WATER, SALT, SOYBEANS, WHEAT FLOUR), FERMENTED BLACK BEANS (BLACK BEANS, SALT, WATER), WATER, SUGAR, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, SALT, SOYBEAN OIL, RICE WINE (WATER, RICE, WHEAT), MODIFIED CORN STARCH
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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Spicy Chili Crisp Laoganma · 7.41 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 26 out of 100 Poor -
Red Enchilada Sauce Old El Paso · 10 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 46 out of 100 Okay -
Hot & sweet tomato chili sauce Maggi · 500 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsNo additives Score 50 out of 100 Okay -
Special Sauce Original Sir Kensington's · 354 mL Ultra-processedHigh in saltHigh in saturated fatContains added sugars Score 42 out of 100 Okay -
Gochujang O'Food · 17.6 oz/1.1 lb/500 g Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 14 out of 100 Bad
More from Lee Kum Kee
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“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
“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
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
-
About Alcohol Use During Pregnancy
“There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy.”
cdc.gov
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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