Food Quality Guideby KarbCoach

Food Quality Guide by KarbCoach

Great Value Red Enchilada Sauce, Red Enchilada: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-08-22 · Great Value

Quick answer

Mixed integrity

Great Value red enchilada sauce, red enchilada received a Food Integrity Score of 62 out of 100 (mixed integrity). This reflects moderately processed and moderate additive load. This enchilada sauce lists ingredients typical for processed foods, with several additives and oils sparking concern. Citric acid and hydrolyzed corn protein add to limited transparency and processing concerns. Regular use may not align with a clean eating lifestyle, but it could be an occasional choice for convenience. Main considerations include processing, additive load, and ingredient concern. Simpler options: Use fresh tomatoes in place of paste; substitute olive oil for soybean oil.

Food Integrity Score 62/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Moderately processed
  • Moderate additive load
  • Transparency: Medium

What to watch?

  • Processing
  • Additive load
  • Ingredient concern

Simpler options to consider

  • Use fresh tomatoes in place of paste
  • Substitute olive oil for soybean oil

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 Red Enchilada Sauce, Red Enchilada
GTIN / UPC
00194346000609
Serving size
60 GRM
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

Red Enchilada Sauce, Red Enchilada

Great Value

Mixed integrity

Warning Signs

Ingredients like hydrolyzed corn protein and modified food starch suggest processed interventions.

Consider This

Watch for industrial staples like citric acid as preservatives and refined oils like soybean oil.

Good Substitutes

Make your own sauce with fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, and spices for cleaner flavor.

Overall Assessment

Mixed integrity

This enchilada sauce lists ingredients typical for processed foods, with several additives and oils sparking concern. Citric acid and hydrolyzed corn protein add to limited transparency and processing concerns. Regular use may not align with a clean eating lifestyle, but it could be an occasional choice for convenience.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Processing
  • Additive load
  • Ingredient concern

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • SPICES — Spices are nonspecific and broad.
  • SOYBEAN OIL — Refined oil often on watchlist.
  • HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN — Hydrolyzed proteins are controversial.

Highest concern ingredients

  • MODIFIED FOOD STARCH (5/10) — Refined ingredient, used as thickener.
  • SOYBEAN OIL (6/10) — Refined industrial oil, highly processed.
  • CITRIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE) (6/10) — Preservative for shelf-stability.

Better choice tips

  • Use fresh tomatoes in place of paste.
  • Substitute olive oil for soybean oil.

Ingredients

Ingredient list

WATER, TOMATO PASTE, MODIFIED FOOD STARCH, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, SPICES, SUGAR, SOYBEAN OIL, DISTILLED VINEGAR, ONION POWDER, GARLIC POWDER, HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEIN, CITRIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE), PAPRIKA.

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

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

  1. SOYBEAN OILConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    A refined industrial oil, more processed.

    Additional note

    Industrial refined oil.

    Family watchlist

    Refined oil often on watchlist.

  2. CITRIC ACID (PRESERVATIVE)Concern 6/10 — Moderate concernPreservativeWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Preservative

    Processing category

    Synthetic / man-made

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Industrial acidity regulator, common preservative.

    Additional note

    Preservative for shelf-stability.

    Family watchlist

    Citric acid acts as preservative.

  3. MODIFIED FOOD STARCHConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernThickenerAdditive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Used as a thickener, more processed.

    Additional note

    Thickening agent, refined input.

  4. HYDROLYZED CORN PROTEINConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernFlavor enhancerWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Flavor enhancer

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Adds umami; industrially processed.

    Additional note

    Flavor enhancer, complex process.

    Family watchlist

    Hydrolyzed proteins are controversial.

View all 13 ingredient assessments
  1. SPICESConcern 3/10 — Mild concernVague ingredientWatchlist · Vague label term

    What this is

    Vague ingredient

    Processing category

    Unknown / not listed

    Main concern area

    Ingredient concern

    Why it matters

    Nonspecific labeling can be concerning.

    Additional note

    General; non-specific list.

    Family watchlist

    Spices are nonspecific and broad.

  2. SUGARConcern 3/10 — Mild concernSweetener

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Processing

    Why it matters

    Typically used to balance flavors.

    Additional note

    Sweetening agent.

  3. DISTILLED VINEGARConcern 2/10 — Very low concernAcid

    What this is

    Acid

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Why it matters

    Common acidic seasoning.

    Additional note

    Acidic component, mild process.

  4. ONION POWDERConcern 2/10 — Very low concernNatural flavor

    What this is

    Natural flavor

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Concentrated flavor agent.

    Additional note

    Dehydrated onion.

  5. GARLIC POWDERConcern 2/10 — Very low concernNatural flavor

    What this is

    Natural flavor

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Used for flavor concentration.

    Additional note

    Dehydrated garlic.

  6. TOMATO PASTEConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Why it matters

    Expected base for sauces.

    Additional note

    Reduced from tomatoes.

  7. SALTConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Traditional seasoning component.

    Additional note

    Standard seasoning.

  8. PAPRIKAConcern 1/10 — Very low concernNatural flavor

    What this is

    Natural flavor

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Natural spice for color and heat.

    Additional note

    Spice for color and flavor.

  9. WATERConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Common component used as a base.

    Additional note

    Basic hydration component.

The score estimates food integrity based on provided ingredients and does not reflect safety or health claims. 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.

  • 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

  • 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 "onion", "tomato". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Vegan

    Supportive

    Dietary Patterns

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

    A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "onion", "tomato". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Plant-Based

    Supportive

    Dietary Patterns

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

    A supportive signal: Plant-food ingredients (Mentions "onion", "tomato". See ingredients for details.)

    See more for this goal

  • Minimally Processed Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

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

    A consideration: Family watchlist items (SPICES)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    See more for this goal

  • Whole-Food Focused Eating

    Watch-outs

    Dietary Patterns

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

    A consideration: Family watchlist items (SPICES)

    This product has 1 additional signal for this goal.

    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 Red Enchilada Sauce, Red Enchilada 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 Red Enchilada Sauce, Red Enchilada shows about 0g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Great Value Red Enchilada Sauce, Red Enchilada: 1g added sugar per serving; sweetener signals include sugar. Confirm the current package Nutrition Facts and ingredient list.

What helped the Longevity Score?

Key positives called out in the analysis include: Low calorie; Contains spices.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: Processed starches; Contains preservative.

Who might evaluate this product differently?

People prioritizing different goals (for example lower carbs, higher protein, or minimally processed eating) may weigh the same oriental, mexican & ethnic 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

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