/ / Buffalo Jerky

Buffalo Jerky

Contains sodium nitrate

Buffalo jerky is hand-trimmed, house-brined and wood-smoked, and made in Michigan. It has 730 mg sodium per serving and includes corn syrup, preservatives and sodium nitrate.

Seed-oil freeNo artificial flavorsNo phosphatesNo gums or thickenersNo gluten ingredientsDairy-freeKetoLow sugarContains soyContains fishContains corn
$31.49 lowest price at Lee's Market Jerky
Price and stock checked Oct 31, 2026
Key nutrition facts
70caloriesPer serving · 1 oz (28g)
Protein
14g▲
Fiber
0g
Added sugar
0g
Sodium
730mg▼
Saturated fat
0g▲
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: Buffalo, water, distilled vinegar, corn syrup, molasses, caramel color, sugar, spices, anchovies, hydrolyzed soy protein, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, natural flavors, tamarind extract, citric acid, sodium nitrate
49 / 100
Poor Scored automatically
Weighted as processed meatHigh confidence · Scored on 11 of 11 inputs, 2 claims verified
Nutrition · counts 20%53
Ingredients · counts 25%48
Processing · counts 25%32
Sourcing · counts 15%75
Transparency · counts 15%50
Why it scores 49
Nutrition 53 · Compared with other processed meats: more sodium (730 mg), less saturated fat (0 g), more protein (14 g); no added sugar per 1 oz
Ingredients 48 · Sodium or potassium nitrate (additive, −10); Benzoates (sodium benzoate, benzoic acid) (additive, −10); Corn syrup, 4th ingredient (added sugar, −8); 5 more
Processing 32 · Jerky with corn syrup, color, flavorings, preservatives and sodium nitrate
Sourcing 75 · The brand says it is Michigan-made, hand-trimmed, house-brined and wood-smoked
Transparency 50 · Full ingredient list; unnamed spices and natural flavors limit detail
730 mg sodium per serving
Contains corn syrup and molasses
Contains sodium nitrate and preservatives
Evidence behind the Ingredients deductions
Strong evidence−16 for corn syrup, molasses
Varies by additive−36 for sodium or potassium nitrate, benzoates, caramel colour and 3 more
Scored Oct 20, 2026 · Scoring guide v3.1 · Updated Oct 20, 2026 · See what changed

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Better swapsCleaner snacks options that do the same job
Jon Henry General Store Ranch Hand Provisions - Buffalo Chipotle & Garlic Jerky
61 +12 No corn syrup and molasses
Ingredients
Buffalo Water Distilled vinegar Corn syrup Molasses Caramel color Sugar Spices Anchovies Hydrolyzed soy protein Sodium benzoate Potassium sorbate Natural flavors Tamarind extract Citric acid Sodium nitrate
16 ingredients 2 to watch3 to avoid
Sourcing

Origin not disclosed on the product page.

Additives8 additives · 2 moderate risk
Sodium or potassium nitrate (E251, E252)PreservativeModerate risk
Turns into nitrite in cured meat, with the same nitrosamine concern (IARC, processed meat).
Benzoates (sodium benzoate, benzoic acid) (E210–E212)PreservativeModerate risk
Can form small amounts of benzene with vitamin C in drinks, and was part of the 2007 UK hyperactivity study mix.
Caramel colour (E150)ColourLimited risk
Some types (E150c, E150d) can contain 4-MEI, which IARC lists as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B); levels are regulated.
Sorbates (potassium sorbate, sorbic acid) (E200–E203)PreservativeLimited risk
Generally well tolerated; EFSA re-evaluated it in 2015 and kept it approved, though it can irritate sensitive skin.
Natural flavoursFlavouringLimited risk
An undisclosed mix of extracts and carriers; the label doesn’t say what’s in it or how it was made.
Yeast extract or hydrolysed proteinFlavour enhancerLimited risk
Contains free glutamate, the flavour-enhancing part of MSG, without being labelled as MSG.
Added sugarSugarLimited risk
Added sugar; the WHO and the US Dietary Guidelines advise keeping added sugars under 10% of daily calories.
Citric acid (E330)AcidNo risk
Usually made by fermentation; considered safe.
Matched from the ingredient list. Risk levels summarise findings from EFSA, the FDA, IARC and published studies; they explain a concern, not a diagnosis.

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