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Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f Crumbles
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Food

Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f Crumbles

14 oz

Poor out of 100 Medium confidence
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains palm oil
  • Seed-oil free
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 38

Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f Crumbles scores 38 out of 100 (Poor) 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, estimated): No NOVA group on file; estimated from 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers. Strong
  3. Saturated fat 8.6 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. Strong

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

Ultimate Plant-Based Be'f Crumbles

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]
  • Pea protein
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • 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]
  • Palm oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [6][7][8]
  • Palm kernel oil
    Strong About half saturated fat; WHO recommends keeping saturated fat to 10% of energy or less. [6][7][8]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [5]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [9][5]
subtotal−30.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4, estimated)
    Strong No NOVA group on file; estimated from 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers. [5]
  • 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring and industrial protein. [5]
subtotal−22.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 8.6 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in saturated fat. [6]
  • Salt 1.3 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [10]
  • Energy 247 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [11]
  • Protein 24.7 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [11]
subtotal−9
TOTAL 38Poor

100 − 62 = 38

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

Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [12]

GTIN 00842234000001 · 2026-08-01

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy247 kcal
Fat15.1 g
Saturated fat8.6 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates4.3 g
Sugars0 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber1.1 g
Protein24.7 g
Salt1.3 g

Serving: 1 serving (93 g)

Ingredients

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

WATER, TEXTURED PEA PROTEIN, TEXTURED WHEAT PROTEIN (WHEAT GLUTEN, WHEAT FLOUR), PALM OIL, PALM KERNEL OIL, VITAL WHEAT GLUTEN, LESS THAN 2% OF: CARAMEL COLOR, SALT, GARLIC POWDER, YEAST EXTRACT, ONION POWDER, NATURAL FLAVORS, BEET JUICE (COLOR), SUCCINIC ACID.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat

  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

More from Gardein

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. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  7. Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods

    European Food Safety Authority · May 3, 2016 · Agency assessment

    “The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  8. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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