/ / Hot Elk Jerky

Hot Elk Jerky

Contains corn syrup

Spicy elk jerky made with pasture-raised elk; the brand says its elk are sourced mainly from central Canada, with some from New Zealand. It contains corn syrup, preservatives and sodium nitrate, and has 680 mg sodium per ounce.

Seed-oil freeNo artificial flavorsNo phosphatesNo gums or thickenersNo gluten ingredientsPasture-raisedDairy-freeKetoContains soyContains fishContains corn
$31.49 lowest price at Lee's Market Jerky
Price and stock checked Oct 31, 2026
Key nutrition facts
80caloriesPer serving · 1 oz (28g)
Protein
15g▲
Fiber
0g
Added sugar
0g
Sodium
680mg▼
Saturated fat
2g
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: Elk, Water, Distilled Vinegar, Corn Syrup, Molasses, Caramel Color, Sugar, Spices, Red Peppers, Anchovies, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Natural Flavors, Tamarind Extract, Citric Acid, Sodium Nitrate
48 / 100
Poor Scored automatically
Weighted as processed meatHigh confidence · Scored on 11 of 11 inputs, 5 claims verified
Nutrition · counts 20%44
Ingredients · counts 25%48
Processing · counts 25%32
Sourcing · counts 15%78
Transparency · counts 15%50
Why it scores 48
Nutrition 44 · Compared with other processed meats: more sodium (680 mg), more protein (15 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 · Smoked elk jerky includes corn syrup, color, flavorings and preservatives
Sourcing 78 · Pasture-raised in Canada, with occasional New Zealand sourcing
Transparency 50 · Full ingredient list, but spices and natural flavors are unspecified
680 mg sodium per 1 oz
Contains corn syrup, preservatives and sodium nitrate
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 +13 No corn syrup, preservatives and sodium nitrate
Ingredients
Elk Water Distilled Vinegar Corn Syrup Molasses Caramel Color Sugar Spices Red Peppers Anchovies Hydrolyzed Soy Protein Sodium Benzoate Potassium Sorbate Natural Flavors Tamarind Extract Citric Acid Sodium Nitrate
17 ingredients 2 to watch3 to avoid
Sourcing

Here's one for the hunters out on a cold hunt.  We took our Original elk jerky and infused a four-pepper blend to turn up the heat!  This is now a fan favorite! About the elk - Now that’s a giant deer! Elk has more protein and less cholesterol than beef, pork and even chicken. Elk tastes like a cross of venison and beef and is a a good source for iron, phosphorus and zinc.  Pasture raised on 60,000 acres in central Canada, North American Elk are the second largest mammal in the deer family.

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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