Chicken drumsticks
Vermont Uncured turkey pepperoni stick
.05 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 50
Vermont Uncured turkey pepperoni stick 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 chicken nuggets and tenders
-
Uncooked Boneless & Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets Foster Farms Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 96 out of 100 , 46 points higher -
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Tenderloins Just Bare · 112 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts TenderBird · 48 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 91 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Chicken Breast Tenderloins Trader Joe's · 40 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 50 points higher -
Organic Grilled Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Whole Foods Market · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 100 out of 100 , 50 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Uncured turkey pepperoni stick
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Cultured celery powder (natural nitrite source) minus 7.5 points
- Collagen minus 2.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 1.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Protein 8.5 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 50.5 = 49.5 → 50
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 70 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 8.9 g |
| Saturated fat | 0.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 3.6 g |
| Sugars | 1 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Protein | 8.5 g |
| Salt | 1 g |
Ingredients
- Turkey
- sea salt
- paprika
- mustard seed
- sugar (high concern)
- cultured celery powder (moderate concern)
- cherry powder
- paprika extract
- garlic powder
- spice extractives
- lactic acid starter culture
- beef collagen casing
Label text, as published
Turkey, sea salt, paprika, mustard seed, sugar, cultured celery powder, cherry powder, paprika extract, garlic powder, spice extractives, lactic acid starter culture, beef collagen casing.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Mustard, Celery
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More chicken drumsticks on GoodSwap
Sources
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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
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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
-
“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
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“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