Sunflower seeds
Bigs Taco Supreme Sunflower Seeds
1/4 cup
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in salt
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 23
Bigs Taco Supreme Sunflower Seeds scores 23 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better sunflower and pumpkin seeds
-
Organic Sprouted Pumpkin Seeds Sea Salt Go Raw · 22 oz (624 g) Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 77 points higher -
Sunflower Kernels Roasted & Salted Great Value · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 79 out of 100 , 56 points higher -
Pumpkin Seeds Eden · 4 oz/113 g Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 77 points higher -
Roasted Salted Sunflower Kernels Southern Grove · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 93 out of 100 , 70 points higher -
All Organic Sprouted Sunflower Seeds Go Raw Not ultra-processed · Less salt Score 100 out of 100 , 77 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Taco Supreme Sunflower Seeds
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Maltodextrin minus 2.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 1.5 points
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG) minus 1.5 points
- Disodium ribonucleotides minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 0.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 7.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 18.2 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Fiber 10 g / 100 g plus 4 points
- Protein 23.3 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 77 = 23
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). [9]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 600 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 46.7 g |
| Saturated fat | 5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Sugars | 3.3 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Protein | 23.3 g |
| Salt | 18.2 g |
Serving: 1 serving (30 g)
Ingredients
- Sunflower Seeds
- Salt
- Maltodextrin
- Autolyzed Yeast Extract
- Spices
- Sugar (high concern)
- Onion Powder
- Whey
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Garlic Powder
- Green Bell Pepper Powder
- Tomato Powder
- Citric Acid
- Disodium Inosinate & Disodium Guanylate
- Natural Flavors Including Smoke
- Xanthan Gum
- Cheddar Cheese Powder (Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Enzymes)
- Sour Cream Powder (Cream, Nonfat Milk, Buttermilk)
- Extractives Of Paprika (Color)
- Dextrose (high concern)
- Buttermilk
- Whey Protein Concentrate
- Torula Yeast
Label text, as published
Sunflower Seeds, Salt, Less Than 2% Of: Maltodextrin, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Spices, Sugar, Onion Powder, Whey, Monosodium Glutamate, Garlic Powder, Green Bell Pepper Powder, Tomato Powder, Citric Acid, Disodium Inosinate & Disodium Guanylate, Natural Flavors Including Smoke, Xanthan Gum, Cheddar Cheese Powder (Milk, Salt, Cheese Cultures, Enzymes), Sour Cream Powder (Cream, Nonfat Milk, Buttermilk), Extractives Of Paprika (Color), Dextrose, Buttermilk, Whey Protein Concentrate, Torula Yeast.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk
- Not vegan
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
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
-
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
-
Questions and Answers on Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
“FDA considers the addition of MSG to foods to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).”
fda.gov
-
EFSA reviews safety of glutamates added to food
“EFSA re-assessed the safety of glutamates used as food additives and derived a group acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 30 mg/kg body weight per day for all six of these additives.”
efsa.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
-
“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