/ / Chili Bites

Chili Bites

Contains monosodium glutamate

These beef bites are slowly air-dried with a South African chili blend and have 11 g protein per serving. They contain MSG and caramel color, with 540 mg sodium per serving.

Seed-oil freeNo artificial flavorsNo natural flavorsNo synthetic preservativesNo added nitritesNo phosphatesNo gums or thickenersNo gluten ingredientsContains corn
$9.99 lowest price at Biltong Depot
Price and stock checked Oct 29, 2026
Key nutrition facts
70caloriesPer serving · 1 oz (28g)
Protein
11g▲
Fiber
0g
Added sugar
0g
Sodium
540mg▼
Saturated fat
1.5g
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: Beef, spice blend (spices (including celery seed), sugar, dehydrated onion and garlic, monosodium glutamate, caramel color powder, degerminated yellow corn flour, natural spice extractives (including paprika)), vinegar
62 / 100
Fair Scored automatically
Weighted as processed meatHigh confidence · Scored on 11 of 11 inputs, 2 claims verified
Nutrition · counts 20%38
Ingredients · counts 25%92
Processing · counts 25%55
Sourcing · counts 15%50
Transparency · counts 15%65
Why it scores 62
Nutrition 38 · Compared with other processed meats: more sodium (540 mg), more protein (11 g); no added sugar per 1 oz
Ingredients 92 · Caramel colour (additive, −4); MSG (monosodium glutamate) (additive, −4); no dyes or artificial sweeteners
Processing 55 · Air-dried beef with a spice blend, MSG and caramel color
Sourcing 50 · Made in the USA; the beef's raising and source aren't stated
Transparency 65 · Complete ingredient list and air-drying method; beef source isn't stated
Contains MSG
Contains caramel color
540 mg sodium per serving
Evidence behind the Ingredients deductions
Varies by additive−8 for caramel colour, msg
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
Joburg Meats Chili Bites Steak Bites
69 +7 No MSG
Ingredients
Beef Spice blend (spices (including celery seed) Sugar Dehydrated onion and garlic Monosodium glutamate Caramel color powder Degerminated yellow corn flour Natural spice extractives (including paprika)) Vinegar
9 ingredients 1 to watch1 to avoid
Sourcing

Origin not disclosed on the product page.

Additives3 additives · 3 limited risk
Caramel colour (E150)ColourLimited risk
Some types (E150c, E150d) can contain 4-MEI, which IARC lists as possibly carcinogenic (Group 2B); levels are regulated.
MSG (monosodium glutamate) (E621)Flavour enhancerLimited risk
Considered safe; EFSA set an acceptable daily intake in 2017, and some people report short-lived symptoms.
Added sugarSugarLimited risk
Added sugar; the WHO and the US Dietary Guidelines advise keeping added sugars under 10% of daily calories.
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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