/ / WISCONSIN'S BEST- CHEDDAR CHEESE AND BEEF STICKS

WISCONSIN'S BEST- CHEDDAR CHEESE AND BEEF STICKS

Contains red #3

Beef snack sticks are paired with Wisconsin cheddar cheese. The beef sticks contain sodium nitrite and Red #3, and the cheese includes sodium phosphate and natural flavoring.

Seed-oil freeNo artificial flavorsNo gums or thickenersNo gluten ingredientsKetoLow sugarContains dairy
$3.85 4 oz · lowest price at Emmas Premium California
Price and stock checked Oct 30, 2026
Key nutrition facts
190caloriesPer serving · 2 oz. (56g) (1 Cheese, 1 Meat)
Protein
12g
Fiber
0g
Added sugar
0g
Sodium
420mg▲
Saturated fat
8g▼
▲ raises the score · ▼ lowers it · From the product label
Ingredients: Beef sticks: beef, dextrose, salt, spices (including mustard, sugar, sodium erythorbate, lactic acid starter culture, sodium nitrite), collagen casing, colorings (Red 3); cheddar cheese sticks: cultured pasteurized milk, water, salt, sodium phosphate, natural flavoring, sorbic acid, preservative, color, paprika, turmeric, enzymes
47 / 100
Poor Scored automatically
Weighted as processed meatHigh confidence · Scored on 10 of 11 inputs, 1 claim verified
Nutrition · counts 20%63
Ingredients · counts 25%24
Processing · counts 25%30
Sourcing · counts 15%70
Transparency · counts 15%70
Why it scores 47
Nutrition 63 · Compared with other processed meats: more saturated fat (8 g), less sodium (420 mg); no added sugar per 2 oz.
Ingredients 24 · Dextrose, 2nd ingredient (added sugar, −20); Red 3 (synthetic dye, −15); Sodium or potassium nitrite (additive, −15); 4 more
Processing 30 · Smoked beef sticks and cheese include nitrite, preservatives, flavoring and Red #3
Sourcing 70 · Wisconsin cheddar is specified; the beef's origin is not stated
Transparency 70 · Full ingredient lists and a Wisconsin cheese origin are given
Contains sodium nitrite and Red #3
Contains dextrose and sugar
Evidence behind the Ingredients deductions
Strong evidence−28 for dextrose, sugar
Moderate, evolving−15 for red 3
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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Better swapsCleaner snacks options that do the same job
Inspire Farms Righteous Felon Meat Sticks
69 +22 No sodium nitrite and Red #3
Netrition Nick's Sticks Grass Fed Beef Snack Sticks
69 +22 No sodium nitrite and Red #3
Netrition Inc. Nick's Sticks Grass Fed Beef Snack Sticks
69 +22 No sodium nitrite and Red #3
Ingredients
Beef sticks: beef Dextrose Salt Spices (including mustard, sugar, sodium erythorbate, lactic acid starter culture, sodium nitrite) Collagen casing Colorings (Red 3); cheddar cheese sticks: cultured pasteurized milk Water Salt Sodium phosphate Natural flavoring Sorbic acid Preservative Color Paprika Turmeric Enzymes
16 ingredients 2 to watch2 to avoid
Sourcing

Origin not disclosed on the product page.

Additives7 additives · 2 high risk
Red 3 (erythrosine) (E127)ColourHigh risk
The FDA revoked its use in food in 2025 (effective 2027) after it caused thyroid tumours in male rats.
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.
Natural flavoursFlavouringLimited risk
An undisclosed mix of extracts and carriers; the label doesn’t say what’s in it or how it was made.
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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