Canned common beans
Aldi Original Baked Beans
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains nitrites or nitrates
- Contains added sugars
- No synthetic dyes
Why it scores 28
Aldi Original Baked Beans scores 28 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Bacon: IARC classifies processed meat (cured, salted, smoked or fermented) as Group 1, based on colorectal cancer; each 50 g eaten daily is linked to an 18% higher risk. Regulatory
- minus 18 points 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 baked beans
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Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce Trader Joe's · 9.6 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 69 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Barbecue Baked Beans Bush's Best · 28 oz Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 69 out of 100 , 41 points higher -
Vegetarian beans Michigan Made · 425 g Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 77 out of 100 , 49 points higher -
Baked Beans Bush's · 15.8 oz No nitrites or nitrates · No added sugars Score 70 out of 100 , 42 points higher -
Pork and beans in tomato sauce Not ultra-processed · No nitrites or nitrates Score 72 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
Original Baked Beans
Ingredients
- Sugar minus 20 points
- Bacon minus 20 points
- Sodium nitrite minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 8.5 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 0.9 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Fiber 5.4 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 72 = 28
Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][12][13][14]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 115 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 0.8 g |
| Saturated fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22.3 g |
| Sugars | 8.5 g |
| Fiber | 5.4 g |
| Protein | 5.4 g |
| Salt | 0.9 g |
Ingredients
- prepared white beans
- water
- brown on facts sugar (high concern)
- sugar (high concern)
- contains 2% or less: salt
- bacon gs per container (cured with water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite) (high concern)
- cornstarch modified
- mustard (distilled vinegar, water, 1/2 cup (130g) mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika, spice, 150 garlic powder)
- caramel color (high concern)
- onion powder garlic powder
Label text, as published
prepared white beans, water, brown on facts sugar, sugar, contains 2% or less: salt, bacon gs per container (cured with water, salt, sugar, sodium phosphate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite), cornstarch modified, mustard (distilled vinegar, water, 1/2 cup (130g) mustard seed, salt, turmeric, paprika, spice, 150 garlic powder), caramel color, onion powder garlic powder,
Allergens and diets
Contains: Mustard
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More canned common beans on GoodSwap
-
Baked Beans, Original Bush's Best · 16 oz Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 23 out of 100 Poor -
Vegetarian Baked Beans Bush's Best · 130 g Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo synthetic dyes Score 48 out of 100 Okay -
Traditional Refried Beans Old El Paso · 16 oz (1 lb) 453 g Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo additivesSeed-oil free Score 59 out of 100 Okay -
Low Fat Black Beans Refried Beans Rosarita · 16 oz Ultra-processed Score 75 out of 100 Good -
Vegan Charo Brand Siete · 130 g No additivesSeed-oil free Score 92 out of 100 Excellent -
Beans with tomato sauce Heinz · 13.7 oz, 390 g Ultra-processedContains added sugarsNo additives Score 61 out of 100 Good
More from Aldi
Sources
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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
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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
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
IARC Monographs evaluate consumption of red meat and processed meat (Press Release No. 240)
“Processed meat was classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), based on sufficient evidence in humans that the consumption of processed meat causes colorectal cancer.”
iarc.who.int
-
Agents Classified by the IARC Monographs, Volumes 1–142 (List of Classifications)
monographs.iarc.who.int
-
“the presence of nitrites and nitrates in foods can give rise to the formation of nitrosamines some of which are carcinogenic.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
-
EFSA confirms safe levels for nitrites and nitrates added to food
“They concluded that when nitrites are used at approved levels, their contribution to overall exposure to nitrosamines is of low concern for health.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern
“Nitrosamines in food raise a health concern”
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
-
Questions & Answers About 4-MEI
“Based on current science, the FDA has no reason to believe that there are any immediate or short-term health risks presented by 4-MEI at the levels expected in food.”
fda.gov
-
Proposition 65 List of Chemicals Known to the State to Cause Cancer or Reproductive Toxicity
“The date refers to the initial appearance of the chemical on the list.”
oehha.ca.gov
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“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