Hams
Kirkland Signature Uncured Black Forest Ham
28 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains added sugars
- No additives
Why it scores 50
Kirkland Signature Uncured Black Forest Ham scores 50 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 7.5 points Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source): Provides nitrite like synthetic curing salts. Regulatory
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better deli meat
-
Farms uncured slow cooked ham Applegate · 6 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Slow Cooked Uncured Ham Applegate Naturals · 10.5 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 29 points higher -
Black Forest Uncured Ham Dietz & Watson · 7 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 71 out of 100 , 21 points higher -
Black Forest Uncured Ham Applegate Naturals · 56 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 69 out of 100 , 19 points higher -
Cube Cooked Uncure Ham Greenfield · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 29 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Uncured Black Forest Ham
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source) minus 7.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 1.8 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 1.8 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Protein 17.9 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 50 = 50
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). [10]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 107 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 3.6 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1.8 g |
| Sugars | 1.8 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 17.9 g |
| Salt | 1.8 g |
Serving: 2 portion (56 g)
Ingredients
- Pork
- water
- cane sugar (high concern)
- sea salt
- vinegar
- cultured celery juice powder (moderate concern)
- natural flavoring
Label text, as published
Pork, water, cane sugar, sea salt, vinegar, cultured celery juice powder, natural flavoring.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Celery
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More hams on GoodSwap
-
Extra Lean Uncured Ham Kirkland Signature · 24 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugars Score 51 out of 100 Okay -
Honey deli Ham Hormel Natural Choice · 8 oz Contains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugarsNo additives Score 45 out of 100 Okay -
Honey Ham Hillshire Farm · 9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains added sugars Score 22 out of 100 Poor -
Honey Uncured Ham Oscar Mayer · 9 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugars Score 29 out of 100 Poor -
Honey Uncured Ham Oscar Mayer · 16 oz Ultra-processedHigh in saltContains nitrites or nitratesContains added sugars Score 29 out of 100 Poor
More from Kirkland Signature
-
Unsalted Mixed Nuts Kirkland Signature · 1.13 kg Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Purified Drinking Water Kirkland Signature · 500 mL Score 100 out of 100 Excellent -
Albacore Solid White Tuna Kirkland Signature Score 83 out of 100 Excellent -
Alaskan Smoked Sockeye Salmon Presliced Kirkland Signature · 227 g Score 79 out of 100 Good
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
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
“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
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
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