Old El Paso Thick & Chunky Salsa Mild — OKAY
Munch or Dump rates Old El Paso Thick & Chunky Salsa Mild by Old El Paso OKAY — score 60/90.
A real-vegetable salsa base — tomato, onion, pepper — with just a little added sugar, salt and citric acid. Not clean enough to call great, but nowhere near engineered junk.
Why this verdict
- Over 85% of the jar is real tomato, onion and green pepper
- Added sugar is present but minor — well down the list, ~1g per serving
- Salt drives ~190mg sodium per 2-tbsp serving
- Only one true additive (citric acid); no artificial colors, flavors or emulsifiers
Ingredients (14)
- Tomato (61%) (safe) — Whole-food base, source of lycopene and potassium.
- Onions (16%) (safe) — Real vegetable, adds prebiotic fiber and flavor compounds.
- Green peppers (10%) (safe) — Whole vegetable, vitamin C.
- Tomato paste (safe) — Concentrated tomato; lycopene and flavor with no downside.
- Salt (moderate) — Added sodium for flavour.
- vinegar (safe) — Standard acidifier for tang and preservation.
- Onion Flakes (safe) — Dehydrated onion, just flavor.
- Sugar (concerning) — Added refined sugar, listed high - spikes blood sugar with no nutrition.
- ONION POWDER (safe) — Dried aromatic seasoning.
- lemon juice concentrate (safe) — Acidity and brightness; benign.
- Guajillo pepper (0.5%) (safe) — Real chili for mild heat and flavor.
- GARLIC POWDER (safe) — Dried aromatic; fine.
- Spices (safe) — Seasoning blend; negligible quantity, no concern.
- Citric acid (acidity regulator) (safe) — Common pH regulator; safe in food amounts.
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