Note: For a live taste review on a newer ingredient list, open up Bridgford – Original Turkey Jerky (Recipe #2).
The next review on Bridgford will focus on a 3 ounce/85 gram bag of their original flavored turkey jerky. This bag was purchased at a store in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, back in July 2013.
The Bridgford jerky brand name is manufactured and distributed by Bridgford Foods Corp., located in Chicago, Illinois, at least in 2013. Today, their headquarters has moved to Anaheim, California. Bridgford Foods Corp. started business in 1932 specializing in multiple food products, not just meat snacks, and currently have about 500 employees. They appear to have a deep distribution network, and are likely in the top five for jerky sales in North America.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Turkey, Water, Sugar, Brown Sugar, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Soy Sauce Powder (Soy Sauce [Wheat, Soybeans, Salt], Maltodextrin, and Salt), Black Pepper, Paprika, Monosodium Glutamate, Spice Extractives, Natural Lemon Flavor (Corn Syrup Solids, Lemon Juice, Lemon Oil), Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Natural Smoke Flavor. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Wheat
The liquid marinade is comprised of lemon juice, lemon oil, and water. The soy sauce is in powder form, which is a cheaper alternative to using actual soy sauce, and generally more processed. Lemons offer many health benefits.
It is disappointing that a processed sweetener such as corn syrup solids (powder form) is used. Corn based ingredients have no business being in jerky.
The sugar level is somewhat high at 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 3 grams of sugar or less. The salt level is unbelievably high at 720mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky. Our preference is 350mg of salt or less.
The not so healthy preservatives used are sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite. Also not good, MSG is used. Even worse, the highly processed flavor enhancer hydrolyzed corn protein is used, which is both a type of MSG, and an unhealthy type of trans fats.
Fair (4/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
Note: For a live taste review on a newer ingredient list, open up Bridgford – Original Turkey Jerky (Recipe #2).
The strips of turkey are mostly small, with quite a few pieces that are very small, and sliced to a medium thickness. The texture is dry, but not overly dry, where this jerky is easy to chew. There is no fat to be seen anywhere, and handling this jerky leaves no oily residue on your fingers.
There was nothing special about this flavor. For the most part it was a bland tasting jerky.
This 3 ounce/85 gram bag of jerky cost $2.50. That equates to 83 cents an ounce, which was an incredibly cheap price. The ingredient list has since changed, as has the price.
Bag Review
Everything is imprinted directly on this resealable bag on both sides, and has no labels affixed. On the back, there are fairly high resolution pictures of all the Bridgford meat products.
There are no slogans, but there are some facts displayed such as “Solid Slices of Smoked Turkey”, “High in Protein”, “Natural Style”, “96% Fat Free”, and “No Refrigeration Needed”.
All bag categories are covered in this bag of jerky. There is a rather lengthy blurb on the back of this bag giving a history of Bridgford Foods Corp., which is appreciated. Kudos to Bridgford Foods Corp. on providing a toll free phone number for customer inquiries.
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