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Table salt

Common questions

Is Table salt healthy?

Table salt scores 75/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This product is primarily composed of salt, a processed culinary ingredient, with added calcium silicate as an anti-caking agent and dextrose to stabilize the iodine.

How processed is Table salt?

Table salt is NOVA Group 2: Processed Culinary Ingredients.

Which ingredients drive Table salt's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Dextrose is flagged as an ingredient of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Table salt

75 Good

Analysis updated August 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 0
Harmful ingredients 1
Category Salt
Summary

This product is primarily composed of salt, a processed culinary ingredient, with added calcium silicate as an anti-caking agent and dextrose to stabilize the iodine. While the processing level is moderate, the presence of additives like dextrose and calcium silicate slightly reduces its score compared to pure, unadulterated salt. The inclusion of potassium iodide is beneficial for iodine intake, but the overall processing and additives prevent it from scoring higher.

Key ingredients 4

Salt
Neutral

Salt is a basic culinary ingredient used for seasoning and preserving food. It is a refined product with no additional nutrients beyond sodium chloride. While essential for bodily functions, excessive intake can lead to health issues.

Risks

High sodium intake is associated with increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.

Benefits

Salt is essential for maintaining fluid balance and nerve function in the body.

See more about Salt →
Calcium Silicate
Neutral

Calcium silicate is used as an anti-caking agent in table salt to prevent clumping. It is generally recognized as safe when used in small amounts. It does not contribute any nutritional value to the product.

See more about Calcium Silicate →
Potassium Iodide
Neutral

Potassium iodide is added to salt to provide iodine, an essential nutrient for thyroid function. It is a processed additive that ensures adequate iodine intake in populations. The amount used is small and safe for consumption.

Risks

Excessive iodine intake can lead to thyroid dysfunction, but this is unlikely from iodized salt alone.

Benefits

Provides essential iodine, which is crucial for thyroid hormone production and metabolic regulation.

See more about Potassium Iodide →
Dextrose
Bad

Refined added sugar.

Risks

Excessive consumption of simple sugars can lead to metabolic issues, but the amount in salt is minimal.

See more about Dextrose →

Processing

Group 2 · Culinary ingredients

Processed Culinary Ingredients

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