Most Processed Deli Meat Brands
Deli meats undergo curing, smoking, and injection with sodium solutions containing nitrates, phosphates, and flavorings. Even "natural" or "uncured" varieties use celery powder (a natural nitrate source) that functions identically to synthetic sodium nitrite. The least processed options are simple roasted or baked meats with minimal ingredients.
Deli Meat at a Glance
15 Most Processed Deli Meat Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barneys bakery | 6 | 13.9 3.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 2 | Kraft | 6 | 10.9 3.5 | 6 | 0 |
| 3 | Little town jerky company | 8 | 10.0 2.6 | 8 | 0 |
| 4 | Almirante | 5 | 9.8 3.5 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | Spartan | 8 | 9.7 4.1 | 4 | 0 |
| 6 | Unbranded | 8 | 9.0 3.4 | 5 | 1 |
| 7 | Land o frost | 11 | 8.9 4.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 8 | Mrs. goldfarbs unreal deli | 6 | 8.9 7.0 | 6 | 0 |
| 9 | Burnett dairy | 9 | 8.7 3.7 | 6 | 0 |
| 10 | Cheesewich | 15 | 8.6 3.3 | 4 | 0 |
| 11 | Weis quality | 6 | 8.4 6.0 | 3 | 0 |
| 12 | Harris teeter | 41 | 8.2 5.0 | 19 | 0 |
| 13 | Di lusso | 9 | 8.0 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Battistoni | 6 | 8.0 2.9 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Slim jim | 11 | 8.0 2.6 | 6 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Deli Meat Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Deli Meat Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Look for "roasted" or "baked" rather than "cured" — fewer chemical treatments
- 2"Uncured" or "no nitrates added" still contains natural nitrates from celery powder
- 3Sodium phosphate and carrageenan are water-retention agents that signal processing
- 4Ingredient lists under 6 items indicate less processed deli meat
Least Processed Deli Meat Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diestel | 7 | 1.7 7.4 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Noel | 7 | 2.0 2.5 | 0 | 7 |
| 3 | Nuna naturals | 12 | 2.3 5.8 | 0 | 9 |
| 4 | La quercia | 68 | 2.3 3.4 | 0 | 58 |
| 5 | Gio | 5 | 2.5 3.5 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Organic prairie | 12 | 2.5 5.8 | 0 | 5 |
| 7 | O organics | 12 | 2.8 5.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Plainville farms | 27 | 3.0 5.5 | 0 | 6 |
| 9 | Sky top farms | 5 | 3.0 3.6 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Maestri | 22 | 3.0 3.6 | 0 | 14 |
| 11 | Organic valley | 21 | 3.1 4.0 | 0 | 9 |
| 12 | True story | 41 | 3.1 4.5 | 0 | 14 |
| 13 | Lunds & byerlys | 26 | 3.1 6.3 | 0 | 3 |
| 14 | Principe | 24 | 3.5 3.5 | 0 | 9 |
| 15 | Perdue | 6 | 3.5 6.3 | 0 | 3 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is bologna so processed?
Bologna is an emulsified sausage — meat is finely ground and blended with water, corn syrup, sodium phosphate, and flavorings into a uniform paste. This is one of the most intensive processing methods for meat.
Are deli meats a cancer risk?
The WHO classifies processed meat (including most deli meat) as a Group 1 carcinogen, linked to colorectal cancer. This classification is based on the processing methods (curing, smoking, nitrates), not the meat itself.
What preservatives are in processed deli meat?
Common preservatives: sodium nitrite/nitrate (curing), sodium erythorbate (color fixative), sodium phosphate (water retention), potassium lactate (shelf life), and sodium diacetate (antimicrobial).
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.