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Gourmet Garden Ginger Paste
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Ginger

Gourmet Garden Ginger Paste

4 oz

Bad out of 100 Medium confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains added sugars
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Why it scores 16

Gourmet Garden Ginger Paste scores 16 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Dextrose: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Fructose: 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.

The Receipt

Ginger Paste

START100

Ingredients

  • Dextrose
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Fructose
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Glycerin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Xanthan gum
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
subtotal−44

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: humectant, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 20 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Salt 2.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in salt. [5]
  • Energy 200 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
subtotal−19
TOTAL 16Bad

100 − 84 = 16

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

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [6]

GTIN 00875208000684 · 2026-05-23

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

Medium confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy200 kcal
Fat0 g
Carbohydrates40 g
Sugars20 g
Added sugars20 g
Protein0 g
Salt2.3 g

Serving: 1 tsp (5 g)

Ingredients

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

GINGER, DEXTROSE, GLYCERIN, FRUCTOSE, SEA SALT, ASCORBIC ACID (TO PROTECT COLOR & FLAVOR), XANTHAN GUM (THICKENER), CITRIC ACID.

Allergens and diets

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest ginger in the US

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. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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