/ / NATHAN'S CHEESE BEEF FRANKS

NATHAN'S CHEESE BEEF FRANKS

Contains sodium nitrite

These all-beef cheddar franks provide 5 g protein per link. They contain sodium nitrite, and the cheddar ingredient lists artificial color despite the product's claim of no artificial colors.

Seed-oil freeNo added sugarNo artificial flavorsGluten-free (label)KetoLow sugarContains dairyContains corn
$7.00 12 oz · lowest price at Emmas Premium Services
Price and stock checked Oct 29, 2026
Key nutrition facts
130caloriesPer serving · 1 Link (43g)
Protein
5g▼
Fiber
0g
Added sugar
—
Sodium
490mg
Saturated fat
5g▼
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: Beef, Water, Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese [cheddar Cheese (cultured Milk, Water, Cream, Sodium Phosphates, Salt, Sorbic Acid, Artificial Color, Enzymes), Powdered Cellulose], Salt, Sorbitol, Potassium Lactate, Natural Flavorings, Sodium Phosphates, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Paprika, Sodium Diacetate, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite
On Open Food FactsNutri-Score ENOVA 4Ultra-processed foodTheir grades, for reference; not part of our score. Data: Open Food Facts (ODbL).
46 / 100
Poor Scored automatically
Weighted as processed meatHigh confidence · Scored on 9 of 11 inputs
Nutrition · counts 20%53
Ingredients · counts 25%44
Processing · counts 25%30
Sourcing · counts 15%50
Transparency · counts 15%65
Why it scores 46
Nutrition 53 · Compared with other processed meats: more saturated fat (5 g), less protein (5 g); no added sugar per 1 Link
Ingredients 44 · Artificial colors (synthetic dye, −15); Sodium or potassium nitrite (additive, −15); Added phosphates (additive, −10); 4 more
Processing 30 · Beef franks with cheese, sodium nitrite and phosphate additives
Sourcing 50 · Beef origin and how the cattle were raised aren't stated
Transparency 65 · Complete ingredient list; no sourcing or raising claims
Contains sodium nitrite
490 mg sodium per link
Cheddar ingredient lists artificial color
Evidence behind the Ingredients deductions
Moderate, evolving−15 for artificial colors
Varies by additive−41 for sodium or potassium nitrite, added phosphates, sorbates and 3 more
Scored Oct 20, 2026 · Scoring guide v3.1 · Updated Oct 20, 2026 · See what changed

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Ingredients
Beef Water Pasteurized Process Cheddar Cheese [cheddar Cheese (cultured Milk, Water, Cream, Sodium Phosphates, Salt, Sorbic Acid, Artificial Color, Enzymes) Powdered Cellulose] Salt Sorbitol Potassium Lactate Natural Flavorings Sodium Phosphates Hydrolyzed Corn Protein Paprika Sodium Diacetate Sodium Erythorbate Sodium Nitrite
14 ingredients 1 to watch3 to avoid
Sourcing

Origin not disclosed on the product page.

Additives6 additives · 1 high risk
Sodium or potassium nitrite (E250, E249)PreservativeHigh risk
Can form nitrosamines in cured meat; IARC classifies processed meat as carcinogenic (Group 1), with nitrites a likely contributor.
Added phosphates (E339–E343, E450–E452)StabiliserModerate risk
Absorbed more readily than natural phosphorus; high intakes are linked to kidney and heart risks, and EFSA set a limit in 2019.
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.
Sugar alcohols (sorbitol, maltitol, xylitol) (E420, E965, E967)SweetenerLimited risk
Can cause bloating and a laxative effect in larger amounts; xylitol is toxic to dogs.
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.
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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