Breaded fish substitutes
Gardein Plant-Based F'sh Filets
6 pieces, 10.1 oz total
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
Why it scores 45
Gardein Plant-Based F'sh Filets scores 45 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 4.5 points 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers: Industrial additive classes found: 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
-
Plant-based chipotle black bean burger Don Lee Farms Not ultra-processed · No methylcellulose Score 75 out of 100 , 30 points higher -
Black Bean Quinoa Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's · 10 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 93 out of 100 , 48 points higher -
California Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's · 10 oz/283 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 93 out of 100 , 48 points higher -
Mushroom Risotto Veggie Burgers Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods · 10 oz/283 g Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 99 out of 100 , 54 points higher -
Black Bean Cheddar Veggie Burger Actual Veggies · 12 oz Not ultra-processed · No added sugars Score 89 out of 100 , 44 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Plant-Based F'sh Filets
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Canola oil minus 2.5 points
- Soy protein isolate / concentrate minus 2.5 points
- Methylcellulose minus 1.5 points
- Yeast extract minus 1.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Sodium acid pyrophosphate minus 0.5 points
- Calcium phosphate minus 0.5 points
- Sunflower oil minus 0.5 points
- Wheat gluten minus 0.5 points
- Xanthan gum minus 0.5 points
- Soybean oil minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 4.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Salt 1.1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 200 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Fiber 3.1 g / 100 g plus 2 points
- Protein 9.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 55 = 45
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 200 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6.3 g |
| Saturated fat | 1 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13.5 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3.1 g |
| Protein | 9.4 g |
| Salt | 1.1 g |
Serving: 2 pieces (96 g)
Ingredients
- WATER
- CANOLA OIL
- TEXTURED VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCT (SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE. TITANIUM DIOXIDE [COLOR])
- ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID)
- POTATO STARCH
- TAPIOCA STARCH
- METHYLCELLULOSE
- SALT
- YEAST EXTRACT
- DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN FLOUR
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- ONION POWDER
- GARLIC POWDER
- LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE) (not recognized)
- SUNFLOWER OIL
- WHEAT GLUTEN
- PAPRIKA
- DHA ALGAL OIL
- AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT
- SPICE
- SOY FLOUR
- XANTHAN GUM
- SUGAR (high concern)
- CITRIC ACID
- SOYBEAN OIL
- TURMERIC
Label text, as published
WATER, CANOLA OIL, TEXTURED VEGETABLE PROTEIN PRODUCT (SOY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE. TITANIUM DIOXIDE [COLOR]), ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), 2% OR LESS OF: POTATO STARCH, TAPIOCA STARCH, METHYLCELLULOSE, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN FLOUR, NATURAL FLAVORS, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SUNFLOWER OIL, WHEAT GLUTEN, PAPRIKA, DHA ALGAL OIL, AUTOLYZED YEAST EXTRACT, SPICE, SOY FLOUR, XANTHAN GUM, SUGAR, CITRIC ACID, SOYBEAN OIL, TURMERIC. CONTAINS: SOY, WHEAT.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Packaging
Plastic
Context only: no points in v1.
Sources
-
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
-
“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
-
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
-
EFSA issues new advice on phosphates
“We estimated that dietary exposure to phosphates may exceed the new ADI for infants, toddlers and children with average consumption of phosphates in their diet.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“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
-
“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