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Castillo Salsas, Red Habanero Hot Sauce, Extra Hot, Extra Hot

5 fl oz/150 mL

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Dye with an EU warning label
  • Contains synthetic dyes
  • High in salt
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Why it scores 69

Castillo Salsas, Red Habanero Hot Sauce, Extra Hot, Extra Hot scores 69 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Yellow 6: In the EU and UK, foods with this color must state that it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children". Regulatory
  2. Salt 3.5 g / 100 g: Very high in salt. Strong
  3. Xanthan gum: An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). Info

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

Better hot sauce

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

The Receipt

Castillo Salsas, Red Habanero Hot Sauce, Extra Hot, Extra Hot

START100

Ingredients

  • Yellow 6
    Regulatory In the EU and UK, foods with this color must state that it "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children". [1][2][3][4][5]
  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
subtotal−22.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 3.5 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [7]
subtotal−9
TOTAL 69Good

100 − 31.5 = 68.5 → 69

Can’t score above 79. Contains Yellow 6, 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). [8]

GTIN 00724836004024 · 2021-07-29

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy0 kcal
Fat0 g
Carbohydrates20 g
Protein0 g
Salt3.5 g

Serving: 1 tsp (5 ml)

Ingredients

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

WATER, HABANERO PEPPERS, SALT, ACETIC ACID, SPICES, CITRIC ACID, XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE (AS ANTIOXIDANT), SODIUM BENZOATE (AS PRESERVATIVE) AND FD&C YELLOW NO. 6.

Allergens and diets

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest cheeses in the US

Sources

  1. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of 16 December 2008 on food additives

    European Union (Official Journal) · Dec 16, 2008 · Law

    “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  2. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (as it applies in the UK), Annex V: food colours requiring additional labelling

    legislation.gov.uk (The National Archives) · Law

    “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.”

    legislation.gov.uk

  3. 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

  4. Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—by the end of 2027.”

    fda.gov

  5. California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition

    California Legislative Information · Sep 28, 2024 · Law

    “beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”

    leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply (press release)

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Apr 22, 2025 · Regulator

    “Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.”

    fda.gov

  10. 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