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Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Vegetarian patties

Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers

10 oz

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains artificial flavors
  • Seed-oil free
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 46

Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers scores 46 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Caramel color: The FDA says classes III and IV, which can contain 4-MEI, are the most commonly used food color additives by volume. Regulatory
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. 5 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial protein and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. Emerging

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

Better burgers and patties

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

The Receipt

Original Vegan Veggie Burgers

START100

Ingredients

  • Caramel color
    Regulatory The FDA says classes III and IV, which can contain 4-MEI, are the most commonly used food color additives by volume. [1][2][3][4]
  • Soy protein isolate / concentrate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • Wheat gluten
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • Methylcellulose
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • Natural and artificial flavors
    Strong The label does not disclose which flavoring substances are used. [6][7]
  • Disodium guanylate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • Disodium inosinate
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
subtotal−31

Processing

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

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 1.6 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [8]
  • Fiber 5.6 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [7]
  • Protein 19.7 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [7]
subtotal+1
TOTAL 46Okay

100 − 54 = 46

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

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]

GTIN 00759283334455 · 2025-10-28

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy113 kcal
Fat1.4 g
Saturated fat0 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates9.9 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber5.6 g
Protein19.7 g
Salt1.6 g

Serving: 1 serving (71 g)

Ingredients

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

Water, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, contains less than 2% of methylcellulose, salt, caramel color, dried onions, yeast extract, sesame oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, natural and artificial flavor (non-meat), disodium guanylate, disodium inosinate.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Sesame

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest vegetarian patties in the US

More from Boca

Sources

  1. Questions & Answers About 4-MEI

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Mar 27, 2020 · Regulator

    “Based on current science, the FDA has no reason to believe that there are any immediate or short-term health risks presented by 4-MEI at the levels expected in food.”

    fda.gov

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

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

  3. Caramel Color in Soft Drinks and Exposure to 4-Methylimidazole: A Quantitative Risk Assessment

    PLOS ONE · Feb 18, 2015 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  4. Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity

    California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) · Jul 31, 2026 · Law

    “The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”

    oehha.ca.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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