Meat analogues
Impossible Burger Patties
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 42
Impossible Burger Patties scores 42 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- 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
- minus 7.5 points 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, modified starch 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
-
Turkey Burgers Trader Joe's · 16 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 91 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Turkey Burgers Butterball · 24 oz Less saturated fat · No added sugars Score 82 out of 100 , 40 points higher -
California Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's · 10 oz/283 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 93 out of 100 , 51 points higher -
Turkey Burger Bubba · 32 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 91 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Mushroom Risotto Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods · 10 oz/283 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 99 out of 100 , 57 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Impossible Burger Patties
Ingredients
- Dextrose minus 20 points
- Soy protein isolate / concentrate minus 2.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Methylcellulose minus 1.5 points
- Modified starch minus 1.5 points
- Yeast extract 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
- Saturated fat 5.3 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 0.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 168 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Fiber 4.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 16.8 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 58.5 = 41.5 → 42
Can’t score above 79. Contains dextrose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 168 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 11.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 5.3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 8 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 4.4 g |
| Protein | 16.8 g |
| Salt | 0.8 g |
Serving: 1 patty (113 g)
Ingredients
- Water
- Soy Protein Concentrate
- Sunflower Oil
- Coconut Oil
- Natural Flavors
- Methylcellulose
- Cultured 3g) Dextrose (high concern)
- Food Starch SO Modified
- Yeast Extract
- Soy Leghemoglobin (not recognized)
- Salt
- Mixed Tocopherols (Antioxidant)
- L-Tryptophan
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc Gluconate
- Niacin alue* (Vitamin B3)
- Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
- 17% Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
- Riboflavin 30% (Vitamin B2)
- Vitamin B12
Label text, as published
Water, Soy Protein Concentrate, Sunflower Oil, Coconut Oil, Natural Flavors, 2% Or Less Of: Methylcellulose, Cultured 3g) Dextrose, Food Starch SO Modified, Yeast Extract, Soy Leghemoglobin, Salt, Mixed Tocopherols (Antioxidant), L-Tryptophan, Soy Protein Isolate, Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc Gluconate, Niacin alue* (Vitamin B3), Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1), 17% Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Riboflavin 30% (Vitamin B2), Vitamin B12
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- 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
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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
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”
doi.org
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org
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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
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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
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“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
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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