Bean with Bacon Condensed Soup — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Bean with Bacon Condensed Soup by Hyvee ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

Beans give it real fiber and protein, but it's built on a cured-bacon-plus-MSG flavor stack, modified corn starch, and added sugar that push it firmly into engineered, ultra-processed territory.

Why this verdict

• MSG plus natural smoke flavoring is a manufactured flavor stack, not real seasoning
• Bacon is cured with sodium nitrate and sodium erythorbate, preservatives linked to processed-meat risk
• Modified corn starch is an industrial texturizer signaling ultra-processing
• Very high sodium (~850mg per serving) on top of added sugar
• Reads NOVA-4: real beans buried under additives

Ingredients (14)

• Prepared white beans (safe) — Whole legume providing real fiber and plant protein.
• Water (safe) — Used as a basic ingredient in bread.
• Tomato Puree (safe) — Real tomato base, the legitimate heart of the soup.
• Bacon (cured with sodium nitrate, sodium erythorbate, sodium phosphate) (concerning) — Processed cured meat; nitrate-cured pork is a Group 1 carcinogen and adds saturated fat and salt.
• wheat flour (moderate) — Thickening agent, not harmful but adds processing.
• carrots (safe) — Real vegetable.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• Modified Corn Starch (moderate) — Thickener/stabilizer that gives the sauce body.
• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Celery (safe) — Real vegetable.
• dehydrated onions (safe) — Real onion, the one whole-food flavor here
• MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE (moderate) — Flavor enhancer; safe for most but a signal of engineered savoriness.
• spice (safe) — Generic seasoning blend.
• natural smoke flavoring (moderate) — Manufactured flavoring used to fake a smoked taste; part of the engineered flavor stack.