/ / Beef with Cheddar Sticks

Beef with Cheddar Sticks

Contains sodium nitrite

This beef and cheddar snack stick is naturally smoked with real hardwood hickory. It has 1 g added sugar and 640 mg sodium per package, and contains sodium nitrite.

Seed-oil freeNo artificial dyesNo artificial flavorsNo natural flavorsNo gums or thickenersCertified gluten-freeKetoLow sugarContains dairy
$8.99 lowest price at Wenzel's Farm
Price and stock checked Oct 30, 2026
Key nutrition facts
200caloriesPer serving · 1 package (57g)
Protein
10g▼
Fiber
0g
Added sugar
1g
Sodium
640mg
Saturated fat
7g▼
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: beef, pasteurized process cheddar cheese (cheddar cheese [cultured milk, salt, enzymes], water, cream, sodium phosphates, salt, beta carotene), natamycin, water, salt, dextrose, spices, sugar, sodium erythorbate, lactic acid starter culture, sodium nitrite, potassium sorbate
63 / 100
Fair Scored automatically
Weighted as processed meatHigh confidence · Scored on 11 of 11 inputs, 3 claims verified
Nutrition · counts 20%52
Ingredients · counts 25%67
Processing · counts 25%55
Sourcing · counts 15%75
Transparency · counts 15%74
Why it scores 63
Nutrition 52 · Compared with other processed meats: more saturated fat (7 g), less protein (10 g) per 1 package
Ingredients 67 · Sodium or potassium nitrite (additive, −15); Added phosphates (additive, −10); Sorbates (potassium sorbate, sorbic acid) (additive, −4); 1 more
Processing 55 · Smoked beef and cheese stick with added preservatives and curing agents
Sourcing 75 · Wisconsin beef; the brand says it is naturally smoked with hickory
Transparency 74 · Complete ingredient list, Wisconsin beef origin and smoking method stated
Contains sodium nitrite
640 mg sodium per package
Evidence behind the Ingredients deductions
Varies by additive−33 for sodium or potassium nitrite, added phosphates, sorbates and 1 more
Scored Oct 20, 2026 · Scoring guide v3.1 · Updated Oct 20, 2026 · See what changed

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Diet profiles v1.1. Defaults come from published guidance; you can change any limit. How the diet score works

Better swapsCleaner snacks options that do the same job
Inspire Farms Righteous Felon Meat Sticks
69 +6 No sodium nitrite
Netrition Nick's Sticks Grass Fed Beef Snack Sticks
69 +6 No sodium nitrite
Netrition Inc. Nick's Sticks Grass Fed Beef Snack Sticks
69 +6 No sodium nitrite
Ingredients
Beef Pasteurized process cheddar cheese (cheddar cheese [cultured milk, salt, enzymes], water, cream, sodium phosphates, salt, beta carotene) Natamycin Water Salt Dextrose Spices Sugar Sodium erythorbate Lactic acid starter culture Sodium nitrite Potassium sorbate
12 ingredients 2 to watch2 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.
Natamycin (E235)PreservativeLimited risk
An antifungal used on cheese surfaces; EFSA considers it safe at permitted levels.
Added sugarSugarLimited risk
Added sugar; the WHO and the US Dietary Guidelines advise keeping added sugars under 10% of daily calories.
Lactic acid (E270)AcidNo risk
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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