Jerky

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Common questions

Is Jerky healthy?

Jerky scores 65/100 on Scout's independent analysis of ingredients, additives, and lab results — a fair-to-good score — solid, with tradeoffs. This jerky product contains high-quality beef and sea salt, which are beneficial for protein intake and mineral balance.

How processed is Jerky?

Jerky is NOVA Group 3: Processed Foods.

Which ingredients drive Jerky's score?

In Scout's ingredient-by-ingredient analysis, Beef, Sea Salt, Apple Cider Vinegar count in its favor; Brown Sugar, Sugar, Pineapple Juice from Concentrate 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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Jerky

Meridian Smokehouse
65 Fair

Analysis updated July 2026 · How Scout scores

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At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 4
Harmful ingredients 4
Owned by Meridian Small Batch Foods Ltd
Category Jerky
Summary

This jerky product contains high-quality beef and sea salt, which are beneficial for protein intake and mineral balance. However, the presence of added sugars such as brown sugar and sugar contributes to unnecessary calories and potential health risks like obesity and diabetes. The product is moderately processed, which limits its score despite the absence of artificial additives or seed oils.

Key ingredients 8

Beef
Very Good

Beef provides high-quality protein and essential nutrients, making it a beneficial ingredient in jerky.

See more about Beef →
Sea Salt
Good

Sea salt enhances flavor and provides essential minerals, making it a beneficial ingredient in moderation.

See more about Sea Salt →
Apple Cider Vinegar
Good

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

See more about Apple Cider Vinegar →
Spices
Good

Whole-food seasonings, antioxidant-bearing.

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Brown Sugar
Bad

Brown sugar adds sweetness but also increases sugar content, which can be less healthy if consumed in excess.

See more about Brown Sugar →
Sugar
Bad

Added sugar contributes to higher calorie content and can impact blood sugar levels negatively.

See more about Sugar →
Pineapple Juice from Concentrate
Bad

Pineapple juice concentrate adds sweetness and flavor but also increases sugar levels in the product.

See more about Pineapple Juice from Concentrate →
Cultured Celery Powder
Bad

Cultured celery powder is used as a preservative but may contain nitrates, which some consumers prefer to avoid.

See more about Cultured Celery Powder →

Processing

Group 3 · Processed

Processed Foods

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