Beef Jerky Original

Image: Open Food Facts (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Common questions

Is Beef Jerky Original healthy?

Beef Jerky Original scores 65/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This beef jerky contains high-quality protein from beef and beneficial ingredients like sea salt, pineapple juice, and apple cider vinegar, which contribute to its nutritional value.

How processed is Beef Jerky Original?

Beef Jerky Original is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Beef Jerky Original's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Beef, Sea Salt, Apple Cider Vinegar count in its favor; Cane Sugar, Sodium Nitrite are flagged as ingredients of concern. The full breakdown, with why each one matters, is in the Key ingredients section on this page.

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Beef Jerky Original

McSweeney's
65 Fair

Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 6
Harmful ingredients 2
Owned by Direct Plus Food Group
Category Jerky
Summary

This beef jerky contains high-quality protein from beef and beneficial ingredients like sea salt, pineapple juice, and apple cider vinegar, which contribute to its nutritional value. However, it is processed and includes sodium nitrite, a preservative with potential health risks. The presence of added sugars and the processing level limit its score, despite the overall clean ingredient list.

Key ingredients 11

Beef
Good

Provides high-quality animal protein and essential amino acids to support muscle health and satiety.

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Sea Salt
Good

Unrefined mineral salt providing sodium and trace minerals with minimal processing.

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Apple Cider Vinegar
Good

Beneficial ingredient — whole-food or functional value in this product class.

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Spices
Good

Whole-food seasonings, antioxidant-bearing.

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Ascorbic Acid
Good

Vitamin C — beneficial even when serving as a preservative.

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Garlic
Good

Whole food with well-documented cardiovascular and immune benefits.

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Pineapple Juice
Neutral

Natural fruit juice used for flavor and as a natural tenderizer for the meat.

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Molasses
Neutral

A traditional sweetener derived from sugar cane processing, adding rich flavor notes.

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Smoke
Neutral

Used to impart traditional smoky flavor and assist with preservation.

Cane Sugar
Bad

Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.

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Sodium Nitrite
Bad

Curing agent used to preserve meat color and prevent bacterial growth, though often limited by health-conscious consumers.

See more about Sodium Nitrite →

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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