Is Salmon Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Fresh and frozen salmon is not ultra-processed (Level 1). It is a whole food — just fish. Canned salmon is Level 1-2 (salmon, salt, water). Smoked salmon adds curing and is Level 2. Pre-marinated or breaded salmon products with sauces and preservatives can reach Level 3.
Key Findings
- •A plain salmon fillet (fresh or frozen) is Level 1 — one of the simplest, least processed foods available
- •Canned salmon is among the least processed canned foods and retains most of its nutritional value including omega-3 fatty acids
- •The processing jump from plain salmon to salmon burgers or pre-seasoned fillets is significant — always check ingredient counts on value-added salmon products
Why Is Salmon Level 1?
Salmon is one of the least processed proteins available when purchased fresh or frozen. A salmon fillet is a single ingredient requiring no additives, preservatives, or processing aids. Freezing is purely physical preservation. Canned salmon involves cooking in the can with salt and water — a simple preservation method dating to the early 1800s. The bones and skin in canned salmon are actually a benefit: they soften during canning and provide additional calcium. Smoked salmon (lox, nova) adds a curing step with salt and sometimes sugar, then cold or hot smoking. The processing escalation begins with value-added products: pre-seasoned fillets with sauces containing modified starch and "natural flavors," salmon burgers with binders (methylcellulose, breadcrumbs, egg whites), and breaded salmon patties with industrial coatings. Wild-caught vs. farm-raised is a sourcing distinction, not a processing one — both are Level 1 as plain fillets.
Salmon Processing Level Distribution
How 995 salmon products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 12.8 · Average nutrition score: 5.7/10
Salmon Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed salmon products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Keta Salmon Fillets | Hy-vee Fish Market | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Alaska Wild Sockeye Salmon Portions | Copper River Seafoods | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillet Wild Caught | Simply Balanced | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Wild Alaskan Salmon | Icy Strait | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Trident Seafoods, Royal Red, Wild Alaska Sockeye Red Salmon | Trident Seafoods | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Wild-caught Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Fillets | Archer Farms | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Wild Caught Skinless & Boneless Pink Salmon Fillets | Meijer | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Atlantic Salmon | Wegmans Organic | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Wild Alaska Pink Salmon | Trident Seafoods | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Alaskan Pink Salmon | Iga | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
How to Read Salmon Labels
- 1
Fresh or frozen salmon fillets should list one ingredient: salmon (some frozen may add a salt water glaze)
- 2
Canned salmon: look for "salmon, salt, water" — avoid canned products with added broths, flavors, or oils beyond these basics
- 3
Pre-marinated or seasoned salmon: check for modified food starch, "natural flavors," and preservatives in the sauce
- 4
Salmon burgers and patties: check for binders like methylcellulose, breadcrumbs, and fillers — these push to Level 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canned salmon ultra-processed?
No. Canned salmon is Level 1-2 — typically just salmon, salt, and water cooked in the can. It retains omega-3s and the softened bones provide calcium. It is one of the least processed canned protein sources available.
Is smoked salmon ultra-processed?
Traditional smoked salmon (lox, nova) is Level 2. It is cured with salt and smoked — ancient preservation methods. Some commercial smoked salmon adds "natural smoke flavoring" instead of real smoking, which is slightly more processed. Check ingredient lists for additives beyond salmon, salt, and sugar.
Is farm-raised salmon more processed than wild-caught?
No. Farm-raised vs. wild-caught describes how the fish was raised, not how it was processed after harvest. Both are Level 1 as plain fillets. The differences are in nutrition and environmental impact, not processing level.
Are frozen salmon fillets processed?
Freezing is physical preservation, not processing in the NOVA sense. Frozen salmon fillets are Level 1, identical to fresh. Some may have a thin salt-water glaze to prevent freezer burn — this does not change the classification.