Hot sauces
Lee Kum Kee Chili Garlic Sauce
228 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
Why it scores 48
Lee Kum Kee Chili Garlic Sauce scores 48 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 5.4 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 hot sauce
-
The Classic Hot Sauce garlic fresno addition Heatonist · 5 fl oz/148 mL Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 90 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Harissa mild Moroccan Red Pepper Sauce Mina · 10 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 86 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Pepper Sauce Texas Pete Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 45 points higher -
Chunky Garlic & Jalapeño Hot Sauce Trader Joe's Less salt · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 31 points higher -
Garlic hot sauce Texas Pete · 6 fl oz/177 mL Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 31 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Chili Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Modified starch minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 11.8 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 5.4 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Fiber 5.9 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 52.5 = 47.5 → 48
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). [6]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 88 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17.6 g |
| Sugars | 11.8 g |
| Added sugars | 11.8 g |
| Fiber | 5.9 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Salt | 5.4 g |
Serving: 2 tbsp (34 g)
Ingredients
- Salted chili peppers (chili peppers, salt)
- water
- sugar (high concern)
- rice vinegar
- dehydrated garlic
- modified corn starch
- acetic acid
Label text, as published
Salted chili peppers (chili peppers, salt), water, sugar, rice vinegar, dehydrated garlic, modified corn starch, acetic acid.
Allergens and diets
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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 -
Chili Sauce rot Ei Yucateco · 120 mL Dye with an EU warning labelContains synthetic dyesUltra-processedHigh in salt Score 42 out of 100 Okay -
Original hot sauce Cholula · 24 fl oz/720 mL Ultra-processedHigh in salt Score 71 out of 100 Good -
Pace Picante Campbell's · 16 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltNo additives Score 75 out of 100 Good
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
-
“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