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Gardein Plant-Based Meatballs
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Beef meat balls

Gardein Plant-Based Meatballs

360 g

Poor out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains seed oils
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 27

Gardein Plant-Based Meatballs scores 27 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Malt syrup: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  3. 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 meatballs

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

The Receipt

Plant-Based Meatballs

START100

Ingredients

  • Malt syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Molasses
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
subtotal−50

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), emulsifier, flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial protein and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−25.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 1 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [5]
  • Energy 178 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. Counted at half for this whole-food category. [2]
  • Fiber 3.3 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
  • Protein 16.7 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal+2.5
TOTAL 27Poor

100 − 73 = 27

Can’t score above 79. Contains malt syrup, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

GTIN 00842234000971 · 2026-05-18

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy178 kcal
Fat7.8 g
Saturated fat0.6 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates10 g
Sugars1.1 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber3.3 g
Protein16.7 g
Salt1 g

Serving: 3 meatballs (90 g)

Ingredients

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

water, soy protein concentrate*, vital wheat gluten*, soy protein isolate*, expeller pressed canola oil*, enriched wheat flour* (niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), modified vegetable gum, spices, dehydrated onion, yeast extract, malted barley extract, sea salt, organic cane sugar, dehydrated garlic, natural flavors (from plant sources), vinegar, molasses, pea protein, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, wheat starch*, soy lecithin*, extractive of paprika, extractive of turmeric, extractives of annatto,

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest beef meat balls in the US

More from Gardein

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. 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

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “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

  9. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  10. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org