Ingredient Rating

While it took two years to fully implement, high sugar and salt levels now officially cost an ingredient rating point. All 300 jerky reviews have been revisited since August 2015, twice actually, and the ingredient rating was changed if necessary.

However, if a jerky flavor has both high sugar and salt levels, it will not necessarily cost two ingredient rating points. If healthy ingredients such as garlic, onion, and ginger are used, that could cancel out one of the high sugar or salt levels.

Sugar

Allowable Sugar Levels

For a sweet based flavor such as teriyaki, barbecue, etc., up to 5 grams of sugar per 28 grams (1 ounce) of jerky is allowed.

For all non-sweet flavors, up to 3 grams of sugar per 28 grams (1 ounce) of jerky is allowed.

Notable Sugar Levels

Any jerky flavor that uses 7 grams of sugar or more per 28 grams (1 ounce) of jerky, will be tagged in over 6 grams of sugar.

Any jerky flavor that uses 2 grams of sugar or less per 28 grams (1 ounce) of jerky, will be tagged in 2 grams and under of sugar.

Better Sugar Substitutes

The types of sugars used are taken into consideration. Below are some of the better sugar options.

Sweeteners

• Turbinado Sugar
• Evaporated Cane Syrup
• Cane Sugar

Liquid Sugar

• Molasses
• Juices
• Maple Syrup
• Local Honey

Salt

Allowable Salt Level

For a flavor that just uses table salt, 350mg of salt or more per 28 grams (1 ounce) of jerky is penalized an ingredient rating point.

Notable Salt Levels

Jerky flavors that uses 450mg grams of table salt or more per 28 grams (1 ounce), will be tagged in over 450mg of salt.

Jerky flavor that uses 150mg of salt or less per 28 grams (1 ounce), will be tagged in 150mg and under of salt.

Better Salt Substitutes

The types of salt used are taken into consideration. For the salts listed below, there is no salt limit.

Table Salt Alternatives

• Sea Salt
• Kosher Salt
• Pink Himalayan Salt
• Potassium Chloride