Food Quality Guide by KarbCoach

Great Value Original Barbecue Sauce, Original: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-08-22 · Great Value

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Great Value original barbecue sauce, original received a Food Integrity Score of 55 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects moderately processed and moderate additive load. Warning Signs: High fructose corn syrup is a common refined sweetener found here. Consider This: Ingredients like modified food starch and caramel color suggest industrial processing. Good Substitutes: Opt for barbecue sauces with whole tomatoes and natural sweeteners. Main considerations include refined sweeteners, vague ingredients, and color additives. Simpler options: Opt for sauces made with whole tomatoes; choose products without artificial colors.

Food Integrity Score 55/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Moderately processed
  • Moderate additive load
  • Transparency: Medium

What to watch?

  • Refined sweeteners
  • Vague ingredients
  • Color additives

Simpler options to consider

  • Opt for sauces made with whole tomatoes
  • Choose products without artificial colors

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 Barbecue Sauce, Original
Category
Condiments & Sauces (source: Ketchup, Mustard, Bbq & Cheese Sauce)
GTIN / UPC
00078742431666
Serving size
36 g (2 Tbsp)
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 Barbecue Sauce, Original

Great Value

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

High fructose corn syrup is a common refined sweetener found here.

Consider This

Ingredients like modified food starch and caramel color suggest industrial processing.

Good Substitutes

Opt for barbecue sauces with whole tomatoes and natural sweeteners.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs: High fructose corn syrup is a common refined sweetener found here. Consider This: Ingredients like modified food starch and caramel color suggest industrial processing. Good Substitutes: Opt for barbecue sauces with whole tomatoes and natural sweeteners.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Refined sweeteners
  • Vague ingredients
  • Color additives

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP — Common processed sugar
  • CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SPICES — Vague listing
  • NATURAL FLAVORS — Vague listing
  • CARAMEL COLOR — Common additive
  • RED 40 — Artificial color use

Highest concern ingredients

  • RED 40 (8/10) — Synthetic color
  • HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (6/10) — Refined sweetener
  • CARAMEL COLOR (7/10) — Color additive

Better choice tips

  • Opt for sauces made with whole tomatoes
  • Choose products without artificial colors

Ingredients

Ingredient list

CONCENTRATED TOMATO JUICE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, VINEGAR, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, MOLASSES, SALT, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SPICES, NATURAL FLAVORS, PAPRIKA, MUSTARD FLOUR, CARAMEL COLOR, GUAR GUM, RED 40.

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

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

  1. RED 40Concern 8/10 — Higher concernColor additiveWatchlist · Additive · Higher concern

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Artificial coloring

    Additional note

    Synthetic color

    Family watchlist

    Artificial color use

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

    What this is

    Color additive

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Colorant and processing signal

    Family watchlist

    Common additive

  3. HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUPConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined sweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined sweetener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Linked to processed foods

    Family watchlist

    Common processed sugar

  4. GUAR GUMConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernThickenerAdditive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Used for texture consistency

View all 13 ingredient assessments
  1. MODIFIED FOOD STARCHConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernThickenerAdditive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Refined thickening agent

  2. NATURAL FLAVORSConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernFlavor enhancerWatchlist · Additive · Vague label term

    What this is

    Flavor enhancer

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Broad category term

    Family watchlist

    Vague listing

  3. CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF SPICESConcern 3/10 — Mild concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Vague label term

    What this is

    Vague ingredient

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Unclear spice mix

    Additional note

    Vague ingredients

    Family watchlist

    Vague listing

  4. MOLASSESConcern 2/10 — Very low concernNatural sweetener

    What this is

    Natural sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Less processed sweetener

  5. CONCENTRATED TOMATO JUICE (WATER, TOMATO PASTE)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernJuice concentrate

    What this is

    Juice concentrate

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Processed as tomato juice

    Additional note

    Expected mild processing

  6. MUSTARD FLOURConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSpice

    What this is

    Spice

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Mild processing

    Additional note

    Ground spice

  7. VINEGARConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernAcid source

    What this is

    Acid source

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Common in foods

    Additional note

    Simple acid source

  8. SALTConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSeasoning

    What this is

    Seasoning

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Basic flavor agent

    Additional note

    Common seasoning

  9. PAPRIKAConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSpice

    What this is

    Spice

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Natural color and flavor

    Additional note

    Whole spice

This score is an estimate of food integrity based on ingredient transparency and processing level, not a safety or medical 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". 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 "syrup", "fructose", "high fructose". 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 "syrup", "fructose", "high fructose". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Vegetarian

    Supportive

    Dietary Patterns

    For someone prioritizing Vegetarian, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.

    A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "tomato". 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 Barbecue Sauce, Original 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 Barbecue Sauce, Original shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Great Value Original Barbecue Sauce, Original: 10g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include high-fructose corn syrup. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: Moderate calorie content.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: High added sugar; Contains caramel color; Includes high-fructose corn syrup.

Who might evaluate this product differently?

People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same condiments & sauces 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.