Tostitos Chunky Salsa, Medium, 15.5 oz — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Tostitos Chunky Salsa, Medium, 15.5 oz by Tostitos (Frito-Lay) OKAY — score 58/90.

Actual vegetables in the jar — tomatoes, onions, jalapeños — with no added sugar and no oil, which is rarer than it should be in this aisle. But the base is reconstituted tomato paste and an undisclosed 'natural flavors' does taste work the vegetables should do. Decent, not fresh.

Why this verdict

• Genuinely vegetable-based: tomatoes three ways, onions, jalapeños, garlic — and zero added sugar or oil
• The lead 'tomato' is water plus tomato paste — industrial concentrate rebuilt into puree, not fresh-packed fruit
• 'Natural flavors' is an undisclosed additive propping up flavor in a product that should only need vegetables
• Potassium salt paired with regular salt — a sodium-masking move straight from the reformulation playbook

Ingredients (9)

• Tomato puree (water, tomato paste) (safe) — Real tomato base — the bulk of the jar and a source of lycopene.
• diced tomatoes (safe) — Real vegetable pieces that give the chunky texture.
• Onions (safe) — Real vegetable.
• Jalapeño Peppers (safe) — Whole chili pepper, the flavor backbone of the dip.
• vinegar (safe) — Mild preservative and flavor enhancer.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.
• POTASSIUM SALT (moderate) — Potassium chloride standing in for part of the sodium.
• Natural Flavors (safe) — Flavor compounds derived from natural sources.
• GARLIC POWDER (safe) — Real seasoning.

Healthier alternatives

• H-E-B Fresh Guacamole - Mild
• Tabasco Premium Salsa
• Simply Nature Organic Thick & Chunky Salsa (Medium)
• Simple Truth Organic Medium Salsa
• Salsa