GoodSwap Get notified
Starkist Tuna Creations Hot Buffalo
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Canned tunas

Starkist Tuna Creations Hot Buffalo

2.6 oz (74 g)

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • No synthetic dyes
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 64

Starkist Tuna Creations Hot Buffalo scores 64 out of 100 (Good) 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. Salt 2.1 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring, modified starch and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging

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

Better canned tuna

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

The Receipt

Tuna Creations Hot Buffalo

START100

Ingredients

  • Modified starch
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • 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. [2][1]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [1]
subtotal−9

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [1]
  • 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring, modified starch and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [1]
subtotal−24

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 2.1 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [3]
  • Protein 20.3 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [4]
subtotal−3
TOTAL 64Good

100 − 36 = 64

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [5]

GTIN 00080000516046 · 2026-06-05

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy95 kcal
Fat1.4 g
Saturated fat0.7 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates1.4 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber0.7 g
Protein20.3 g
Salt2.1 g

Serving: 1 pouch (74 g)

Ingredients

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

LIGHT TUNA, WATER, VINEGAR, AGED CAYENNE RED PEPPERS, CONTAINS 2% LESS OF THE FOLLOWING: GARLIC POWDER, SPICES, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH (CORN), NATURAL FLAVORS, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, PAPRIKA, CITRIC ACID, XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM DIACETATE, CITRUS FIBER, EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA, EXTRACTIVES OF CAPSICUM

Allergens and diets

Contains: Fish

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest canned tunas in the US

More from Starkist

Sources

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. 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

  3. 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

  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. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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