Food Quality Guide by KarbCoach

Great Value Original Baked Beans Seasoned With Bacon & Brown Sugar, Original With Bacon & Brown Sugar: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-08-22 · Great Value

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Great Value original baked beans seasoned with bacon & brown sugar, original with bacon & brown sugar received a Food Integrity Score of 65 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects moderately processed and moderate additive load. These baked beans mix real and refined ingredients, shifting toward an ultra-processed profile. The presence of bacon with curing agents, modified food starch, and caramel color suggests occasional consumption. Real beans provide nutrition, but less processed options are better regularly. Main considerations include additive load, ingredient concern, and processing. Simpler options: Use simple beans with fresh herbs; try homemade sauces and spices.

Food Integrity Score 65/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Moderately processed
  • Moderate additive load
  • Transparency: Medium

What to watch?

  • Additive Load
  • Ingredient Concern
  • Processing

Simpler options to consider

  • Use simple beans with fresh herbs
  • Try homemade sauces and spices

You are viewing ingredients and processing. Switch to Longevity for nutrition and longer-term eating pattern fit.

Source data, GTIN, and Food Quality Guide analysis details

Product facts

Product
Great Value Original Baked Beans Seasoned With Bacon & Brown Sugar, Original With Bacon & Brown Sugar
GTIN / UPC
00078742246109
Serving size
130 GRM (1/2 cup)
Source data — ingredients
Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
Food Quality Guide analysis
Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
Data last verified

Food Integrity results

Original Baked Beans Seasoned With Bacon & Brown Sugar, Original With Bacon & Brown Sugar

Great Value

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

Caramel color and natural flavor can be controversial for some.

Consider This

The bacon and flavors in this product raise the processing level.

Good Substitutes

Opt for homemade beans seasoned with smoked paprika and a touch of maple syrup.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

These baked beans mix real and refined ingredients, shifting toward an ultra-processed profile. The presence of bacon with curing agents, modified food starch, and caramel color suggests occasional consumption. Real beans provide nutrition, but less processed options are better regularly.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Additive Load
  • Ingredient Concern
  • Processing

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • BACON (CURED WITH WATER, SALT, SUGAR, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE) — Preservatives and nitrates are notable.
  • NATURAL FLAVOR — Vague term; source unclear.
  • MODIFIED FOOD STARCH — Texture engineering product.
  • CARAMEL COLOR — Artificial color concern.
  • CALCIUM CHLORIDE (FIRMING AGENT) — Used in non-food applications.

Highest concern ingredients

  • CARAMEL COLOR (7/10) — Artificial color concern.

Better choice tips

  • Use simple beans with fresh herbs.
  • Try homemade sauces and spices.

Ingredients

Ingredient list

PREPARED WHITE BEANS, WATER, BROWN SUGAR, SUGAR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: BACON (CURED WITH WATER, SALT, SUGAR, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE), SALT, MUSTARD (VINEGAR, WATER, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, TURMERIC, PAPRIKA, SPICE, GARLIC POWDER), MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, ONION POWDER, CARAMEL COLOR, CALCIUM CHLORIDE (FIRMING AGENT), NATURAL FLAVOR.

Formulations can vary — check the package label for the final word.

Highest-concern ingredients first. Expand an item for notes.

  1. CARAMEL COLORConcern 7/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Used for color augmentation.

    Family watchlist

    Artificial color concern.

  2. NATURAL FLAVORConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term

    What this is

    Vague ingredient

    Processing category

    Unknown / not listed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Lack of specific sourcing.

    Additional note

    Vague flavor description

    Family watchlist

    Vague term; source unclear.

  3. BACON (CURED WITH WATER, SALT, SUGAR, SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM ERYTHORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE)Concern 5/10 — Moderate concernCured meatWatchlist

    What this is

    Cured meat

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Preservatives in bacon.

    Additional note

    Cured with preservatives

    Family watchlist

    Preservatives and nitrates are notable.

  4. CALCIUM CHLORIDE (FIRMING AGENT)Concern 5/10 — Moderate concernFirming agentWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Firming agent

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Used to maintain texture.

    Family watchlist

    Used in non-food applications.

View all 12 ingredient assessments
  1. MODIFIED FOOD STARCHConcern 4/10 — Mild concernThickenerWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined ingredient for texture.

    Additional note

    Refined thickener

    Family watchlist

    Texture engineering product.

  2. MUSTARD (VINEGAR, WATER, MUSTARD SEED, SALT, TURMERIC, PAPRIKA, SPICE, GARLIC POWDER)Concern 2/10 — Very low concernBlended seasoning

    What this is

    Blended seasoning

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Complex seasoning blend.

    Additional note

    Commercial mustard blend

  3. BROWN SUGARConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSweetener

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Minor refinement in sugar.

    Additional note

    Refined sweetener

  4. SUGARConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSweetener

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Refinement in sugar.

    Additional note

    Refined sweetener.

  5. ONION POWDERConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSeasoning

    What this is

    Seasoning

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Natural onion, lightly processed.

    Additional note

    Dried and ground onion

  6. PREPARED WHITE BEANSConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Whole food; no concern.

    Additional note

    Simple beans; natural inclusion

  7. WATERConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple liquid

    What this is

    Simple liquid

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    No concern.

    Additional note

    Basic water; no concern

  8. SALTConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple seasoning

    What this is

    Simple seasoning

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Essential seasoning.

    Additional note

    Basic seasoning

This is an analysis of ingredient processing and potential concerns; it is not a health assessment. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.

How this product may fit different goals

The same food can look different depending on what matters most to you. Here is a general preview of how this product may align with several common goals.

  • Low-Spike Stability

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Low-Spike Stability, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Sweetener/sugar on watchlist (see Food Integrity)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Heart-Healthy Eating

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Added-sodium ingredients (Mentions "salt", "cured", "sodium phosphate". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • GLP-1 Eating Support

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing GLP-1 Eating Support, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar", "brown sugar". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Low Sugar Lifestyle

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Low Sugar Lifestyle, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Sweetener/sugar on watchlist (see Food Integrity)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Appetite & Portion Awareness

    Watch-outs

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Appetite & Portion Awareness, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Sweetener/sugar ingredients (Mentions "sugar", "brown sugar". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Vegetarian

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the analysis identifies considerations that may matter more than the general product score alone.

    A consideration: Meat/seafood ingredients (Mentions "bacon". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

See how this product fits your goals

Choose what matters most to you and explore a more detailed interpretation of this product's nutrition, ingredients, and tradeoffs.

Personalize this analysis

Understanding the Food Integrity analysis

What the Food Integrity analysis evaluates

The Food Integrity analysis focuses on how a packaged food is formulated and made. It examines processing level, ingredient quality, additives, oils, sweeteners, purity cues, and how clearly a label communicates what is in the product. The Food Integrity Score summarizes that formulation and transparency picture on a 0–100 scale. It is not a full nutrient report and it is not a personalized meal plan.

Why processing, ingredients, and transparency matter

Processing level and ingredient quality shape what you are actually eating beyond calories on the label. Additives, industrial oils, and intense sweeteners can change how clean or heavily engineered a product feels, even when the front of pack looks wholesome. Purity and transparency matter because incomplete or marketing-heavy labeling can hide tradeoffs that only show up when the full ingredient list is reviewed carefully.

Who may prioritize Food Integrity

Some people care mainly about Food Integrity because their dietary goals center on formulation rather than macros alone. Examples include checking vegetarian or vegan suitability, preferring simpler ingredient sources, avoiding certain additives or sweeteners, watching oil choices, or preferring less processed options. For those priorities, the Food Integrity Score can be the more practical first read.

How Food Integrity differs from Longevity

Food Integrity is the focused analysis of processing, ingredients, additives, purity, and transparency. Longevity is the broader analysis of nutritional composition, metabolic and dietary characteristics, processing, and ingredient quality together. Favorable nutrition values do not necessarily mean strong Food Integrity: a product can look balanced on macros yet still rely on heavy processing or additives that the Food Integrity analysis flags in more detail.

Why the two analyses overlap—and why to review Longevity too

The analyses overlap intentionally. Food Integrity–related characteristics contribute to Longevity, and Longevity still benefits from the same ingredient-quality lens. They are not competing verdicts; they answer different questions at different depths. Reviewing the Longevity analysis can add information about nutritional composition, metabolic characteristics, and dietary balance that Food Integrity alone does not emphasize. Looking at both usually gives the most complete understanding of tradeoffs.

Common questions about this product

Is Great Value Original Baked Beans Seasoned With Bacon & Brown Sugar, Original With Bacon & Brown Sugar highly processed?

Food Integrity lists processing level as Moderately processed. That reflects formulation and processing signals from the ingredient analysis — not a medical or regulatory classification.

Why are the Longevity and Food Integrity scores different?

Longevity emphasizes nutrition per serving and longer-term dietary alignment. Food Integrity emphasizes ingredients, additives, processing, and label transparency. The same product can score differently on those lenses.

How much fiber is in one serving?

Great Value Original Baked Beans Seasoned With Bacon & Brown Sugar, Original With Bacon & Brown Sugar shows about 7.02g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Great Value Original Baked Beans Seasoned With Bacon & Brown Sugar, Original With Bacon & Brown Sugar: 12g added sugar per serving. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: High fiber content; Contains protein; Whole beans used.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: High added sugar; Contains bacon; Contains additives.

Who might evaluate this product differently?

People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same canned & bottled beans differently. Use the goal preview on this page, then personalize in KarbCoach for your priorities.

Source data and Food Quality Guide analysis

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Food Quality Guide analysis (Longevity and Food Integrity) — Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards.
  3. How the Longevity Score is calculated
  4. How the Food Integrity Score is calculated
  5. Scoring models: KarbCoach Longevity and Food Integrity.
  6. Independent analysis. No manufacturer affiliation.
  7. Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions. Full sources and safety details.
Label accuracy and safety information

Formulations can vary by region, size, and packaging. Check the package label for ingredients, allergens, and nutrition. Not medical advice — do not use this site or the KarbCoach mobile app for allergy or health decisions.

Sources, citations & safety

See how this item lines up with your goals

Food Quality Guide covers this product in detail. In KarbCoach, your goals shape what matters most for your meals.