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Old Trapper Beef Jerky
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Salty snacks

Old Trapper Beef Jerky

8 oz

Okay out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains nitrites or nitrates
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Why it scores 40

Old Trapper Beef Jerky scores 40 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sodium nitrite: IARC classifies ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as Group 2A; it classifies processed meat as Group 1. Regulatory
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Salt 5.5 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 jerky and meat sticks

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

The Receipt

Beef Jerky

START100

Ingredients

  • Sodium nitrite
    Regulatory IARC classifies ingested nitrate or nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as Group 2A; it classifies processed meat as Group 1. [1][2][3][4][5]
  • Sodium benzoate
    Strong Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. [6][7][8]
  • Maltodextrin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [9]
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [9]
  • 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. [10][9]
subtotal−33

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [9]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [9]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 5.5 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [11]
  • Energy 250 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [12]
  • Protein 50 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [12]
subtotal−6
TOTAL 40Okay

100 − 60 = 40

Can’t score above 79. Contains sodium nitrite, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5]

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [13]

GTIN 00079694290080 · 2026-02-04

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy250 kcal
Fat1.8 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates7.1 g
Sugars0 g
Fiber0 g
Protein50 g
Salt5.5 g

Serving: 1 serving (28 g)

Ingredients

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

BEEF, SOY SAUCE [WATER, SOY SAUCE POWDER (SOYBEANS, WHEAT, SALT), MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, SODIUM BENZOATE], CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, BEEF STOCK, FLAVORINGS, SODIUM NITRITE

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

More from Old Trapper

Sources

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

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

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

    The Lancet Oncology · December 2015 · IARC

    doi.org

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Benzene production from decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and a transition-metal catalyst

    Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · May 1993 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

    The Lancet · November 2007 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  8. Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)

    European Food Safety Authority · Oct 30, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “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

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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