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Fresh Cravings Mediterranean Hummus
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Hummus

Fresh Cravings Mediterranean Hummus

Good out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Contains seed oils
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Why it scores 75

Fresh Cravings Mediterranean Hummus scores 75 out of 100 (Good) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Processed (NOVA 3): Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. Emerging
  2. Sodium benzoate: Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. Strong
  3. Salt 1.5 g / 100 g: High in salt. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better hummus

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

The Receipt

Mediterranean Hummus

START100

Ingredients

  • Sodium benzoate
    Strong Benzoates can form small amounts of benzene in drinks that also contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), especially with heat or light. [1][2][3]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [4][5][6][7]
  • Potassium sorbate
    Strong EFSA (2019) set a group ADI of 11 mg/kg body weight (as sorbic acid); generally recognized as safe in the US. [8][9]
subtotal−12.5

Processing

  • Processed (NOVA 3)
    Emerging Classified NOVA 3: processed with added salt, sugar or oil. [10]
subtotal−8

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Saturated fat 1.6 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. [11]
  • Salt 1.5 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [12]
  • Energy 250 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [13]
  • Fiber 3.1 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [13]
subtotal−5
TOTAL 75Good

100 − 25.5 = 74.5 → 75

GTIN 00854135008277 · 2025-07-27

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy250 kcal
Fat15.6 g
Saturated fat1.6 g
Carbohydrates15.6 g
Fiber3.1 g
Protein6.3 g
Salt1.5 g

Serving: 2 tbsp (32 g)

Ingredients

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

COOKED CHICKPEAS (CHICKPEAS, WATER), CANOLA OIL, WATER, TAHINI (GROUND SESAME), ROASTED RED BELL PEPPERS (RED PEPPERS, WATER, CITRIC ACID, SALT), SEA SALT, GARLIC POWDER, DRIED RED BELL PEPPERS, KALAMATA OLIVES (KALAMATA OLIVES, WATER, SALT, DISTILLED VINEGAR, LACTIC ACID), GARLIC, CITRIC ACID, EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, SPICES, BASIL, POTASSIUM SORBATE (MAINTAINS FRESHNESS), SODIUM BENZOATE (MAINTAINS FRESHNESS), PAPRIKA, DEHYDRATED GARLIC, DEHYDRATED PARSLEY.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Sesame

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest hummus in the US

More from Fresh Cravings

Sources

  1. Benzene production from decarboxylation of benzoic acid in the presence of ascorbic acid and a transition-metal catalyst

    Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · May 1993 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  2. Food additives and hyperactive behaviour in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the community: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

    The Lancet · November 2007 · Peer-reviewed

    “Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.”

    doi.org

  3. Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (records the 2016 benzoate re-evaluation)

    European Food Safety Authority · Oct 30, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “derived a group ADI of 5 mg/kg bw per day (expressed as benzoic acid) in accordance with the ADI previously derived by SCF and JECFA”

    doi.org

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

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

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  8. Opinion on the follow-up of the re-evaluation of sorbic acid (E200) and potassium sorbate (E202) as food additives

    European Food Safety Authority · Mar 1, 2019 · Agency assessment

    “By applying a default uncertainty factor of 100, the Panel established a group ADI expressed as 11 mg sorbic acid/kg bw per day for sorbic acid (E 200) and its potassium salt (E 202).”

    doi.org

  9. 21 CFR 182.3640 Potassium sorbate

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ecfr.gov

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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