Original Snack Stick, Original

Why Does This Score Highly Processed?

In our analysis, Original Snack Stick, Original scores Highly Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Processed Meats (Mechanically Separated Chicken): Mechanically separated and reformed meats are UPF markers.
• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Sodium Nitrite): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Natural Flavors (Flavorings, Smoke Flavoring): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Other Additives (Sodium Erythorbate): Miscellaneous additives generally indicate processing.

Within Jerky & Meat Snacks, this product is more processed than about 42% of the 2,448 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Original Snack Stick, Original's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Dextrose, Caramelized Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Lactic Acid Starter Culture.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.