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Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick'n Nuggets
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Vegetarian nuggets

Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick'n Nuggets

417 g

Poor out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Not permitted in some countries
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains seed oils
  • No synthetic dyes
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Why it scores 21

Gardein Ultimate Plant-Based Chick'n Nuggets scores 21 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Fructose: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Titanium dioxide: EFSA (2021) could not rule out genotoxicity and could not set a safe daily intake, so the EU removed E171 from the list of permitted food additives in 2022. Regulatory
  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 chicken nuggets and tenders

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

The Receipt

Ultimate Plant-Based Chick'n Nuggets

START100

Ingredients

  • Fructose
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Titanium dioxide
    Regulatory EFSA (2021) could not rule out genotoxicity and could not set a safe daily intake, so the EU removed E171 from the list of permitted food additives in 2022. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
  • Wheat gluten
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [11]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [12][13][14][15]
  • Soy protein isolate / concentrate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [11]
  • Pea protein
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [11]
  • Methylcellulose
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [11]
  • Yeast extract
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [11]
  • 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. [16][11]
  • Sodium acid pyrophosphate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI for phosphates of 40 mg/kg body weight (as phosphorus) and noted that infants, toddlers and children may exceed it. [17]
  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [11]
  • Sunflower oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [12][13][14][15]
subtotal−50

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [11]
  • 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), flavor enhancer, flavoring, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [11]
subtotal−25.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Salt 1.5 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [18]
  • Energy 202 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Protein 14.9 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−4
TOTAL 21Poor

100 − 79.5 = 20.5 → 21

Can’t score above 25. Contains titanium dioxide, which is banned in food in the EU. [4]

Can’t score above 79. Contains fructose, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [19]

GTIN 00842234002333 · 2026-02-23

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy202 kcal
Fat8.5 g
Saturated fat0.5 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates17 g
Sugars1.1 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber1.1 g
Protein14.9 g
Salt1.5 g

Serving: 6 pieces (94 g)

Ingredients

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

WATER, ENRICHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), VITAL WHEAT GLUTEN, CANOLA OIL, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, PEA PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, TAPIOCA STARCH, 2% OR LESS OF: DEGERMINATED YELLOW CORN FLOUR, TEXTURED WHEAT PROTEIN (WHEAT GLUTEN, WHEAT STARCH), METHYLCELLULOSE, SALT, YEAST EXTRACT, NATURAL FLAVORS, GARLIC POWDER, SPICES, ONION POWDER, DRIED ONION, FRUCTOSE, LEAVENING (SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE), PAPRIKA EXTRACTIVES (COLOR), PEA PROTEIN, CITRIC ACID, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (COLOR), XANTHAN GUM, LACTIC ACID, SUNFLOWER OIL.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Soy, Wheat, Gluten

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

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest vegetarian nuggets 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. Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/63 of 14 January 2022 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 as regards the food additive titanium dioxide (E 171)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Jan 14, 2022 · Law

    “titanium dioxide (E 171) can no longer be considered safe when used as a food additive.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  5. Titanium dioxide: E171 no longer considered safe when used as a food additive

    European Food Safety Authority · May 6, 2021 · Agency assessment

    “the Panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  6. Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 97th meeting: summary and conclusions (titanium dioxide)

    Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) · Nov 24, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “Considering the very low oral absorption of INS 171, and in the absence of any identifiable hazard associated with INS 171 in the diet, the Committee reaffirmed the ADI “not specified” established at the Thirteenth meeting.”

    who.int

  7. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a food additive: Current science report

    Health Canada · Jul 14, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “In summary, the Food Directorate's position is that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the food additive TiO2 is a concern for human health.”

    canada.ca

  8. Statement on the safety of Titanium Dioxide (E171) as a Food Additive (COT/2024/05)

    Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (UK) · Oct 2, 2024 · Agency assessment

    “The Committee concludes that it is unlikely that there would be a risk to health from exposures of E171 TiO2 from the diet in any of the age groups or scenarios assessed.”

    cot.food.gov.uk

  9. Titanium Dioxide as a Color Additive in Foods

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Mar 4, 2024 · Regulator

    “Other international regulatory bodies including the United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency (FSA), Health Canada, and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) have not agreed with EFSA’s assessment.”

    fda.gov

  10. Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)

    International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO) · IARC

    monographs.iarc.who.int

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  12. 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

  13. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  14. 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

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

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  16. 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

  17. EFSA issues new advice on phosphates

    European Food Safety Authority · Jun 12, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. Revocation of Authorization for Use of Brominated Vegetable Oil in Food (89 FR 55040)

    Federal Register (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) · Jul 3, 2024 · Law

    “This action is being taken because there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm from the continued use of BVO in food.”

    federalregister.gov

  21. Color Additive Petition From Center for Science in the Public Interest, et al.; Request To Revoke Color Additive Listing for Use of FD&C Red No. 3 in Food and Ingested Drugs (90 FR 4628)

    Federal Register (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) · Jan 16, 2025 · Law

    “This order is effective January 15, 2027, except for amendatory instruction 4, which is effective January 18, 2028.”

    federalregister.gov

  22. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products

    European Union (Official Journal) · Nov 30, 2009 · Law

    “cosmetic products shall not contain any of the following: (a) prohibited substances — prohibited substances listed in Annex II”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  23. 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

  24. 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