Healthy Food Guideby KarbCoach

Healthy Food Guide by KarbCoach

Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: Food Integrity analysis

Updated 2026-10-22 · Trader Joe's

Quick answer

High integrity

Trader Joe's roasted red pepper hummus received a Food Integrity Score of 78 out of 100 (high integrity). This reflects lightly processed and low additive load. This is a fairly recognizable hummus base of chickpeas, tahini, roasted peppers, and herbs, so the core food is solid. The sunflower oil, sugar, and guar gum add refinement and texture engineering that a homemade version would skip. It is a reasonable everyday-ish pick, but a simpler recipe would be the better default. Main considerations include sunflower oil as a refined seed oil, added sugar in a savory dip, and guar gum used for texture. Simpler options: Choose a hummus with tahini, chickpeas, lemon, and olive oil, without gums; pick versions with no added sugar and a shorter ingredient list.

Food Integrity Score 78/100

What stood out on the label?

  • Lightly processed
  • Low additive load
  • Transparency: High

What to watch?

  • Sunflower oil as a refined seed oil
  • Added sugar in a savory dip
  • Guar gum used for texture

Simpler options to consider

  • Choose a hummus with tahini, chickpeas, lemon, and olive oil, without gums
  • Pick versions with no added sugar and a shorter ingredient list

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

Source data, GTIN, and Healthy Food Guide analysis details

Product facts

Product
Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Category
Spreads & Nut Butters (source: Plant Based Foods And Beverages)
GTIN / UPC
00000000764728
Serving size
28 g (28g)
Source data — ingredients
Ingredient list from product label data (see Sources)
Healthy Food Guide analysis
Independent Longevity and Food Integrity scorecards. See methodology under Sources.
Data last verified

Food Integrity results

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Trader Joe's

High integrity

Warning Signs

Sunflower oil, sugar, and guar gum stand out here as the more refined, formulation-oriented inputs on this label.

Consider This

Guar gum and citric acid are texture and shelf-stability helpers, so this reads more formulated than a plain homemade hummus.

Good Substitutes

Look for a hummus made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil, with no gums or added sugar.

Overall Assessment

High integrity

This is a fairly recognizable hummus base of chickpeas, tahini, roasted peppers, and herbs, so the core food is solid. The sunflower oil, sugar, and guar gum add refinement and texture engineering that a homemade version would skip. It is a reasonable everyday-ish pick, but a simpler recipe would be the better default.

Key Highlights

What stood out

  • Sunflower oil as a refined seed oil
  • Added sugar in a savory dip
  • Guar gum used for texture

Family Watchlist

Ingredients some users may personally want to know about.

  • Sunflower oil — Refined seed oil
  • Sugar — Refined added sweetener
  • Guar gum — Thickener and stabilizer

Highest concern ingredients

  • Guar gum (6/10) — Texture gum rather than a food base.
  • Sunflower oil (5/10) — Refined seed oil used as main fat.
  • Sugar (4/10) — Added refined sweetener in a savory product.

Better choice tips

  • Choose a hummus with tahini, chickpeas, lemon, and olive oil, without gums.
  • Pick versions with no added sugar and a shorter ingredient list.

Ingredients

Ingredient list

Chickpeas, water, roasted red bell peppers, sunflower oil, tahini (pureed sesame seeds), sugar, sea salt, citric acid, distilled white vinegar, dried garlic, paprika, red bell pepper powder, guar gum, basil. Contains sesame.

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

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

  1. Guar gumConcern 6/10 — Moderate concernThickenerWatchlist · Additive

    What this is

    Thickener

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Gum used for texture and stability rather than as a food base.

    Additional note

    Thickener and stabilizer for texture.

    Family watchlist

    Gum thickener.

  2. Sunflower oilConcern 5/10 — Moderate concernRefined oilWatchlist

    What this is

    Refined oil

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Refined seed oil some users prefer to avoid.

    Additional note

    Refined seed oil used as a fat source.

    Family watchlist

    Refined seed oil.

  3. SugarConcern 4/10 — Mild concernSweetenerWatchlist

    What this is

    Sweetener

    Processing category

    Natural refined

    Main concern area

    Family Watchlist

    Why it matters

    Added sugar some users may want to limit.

    Additional note

    Added refined sweetener in a savory dip.

    Family watchlist

    Refined added sugar.

  4. Citric acidConcern 3/10 — Mild concernAcidulantAdditive

    What this is

    Acidulant

    Processing category

    Processed

    Main concern area

    Additive load

    Why it matters

    Common acidulant functioning as a formulation helper.

    Additional note

    Acidulant used for tartness and shelf stability.

View all 14 ingredient assessments
  1. Roasted red bell peppersConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Real vegetable ingredient, roasting is expected.

    Additional note

    Roasted vegetable, category-normal preparation.

  2. Tahini (pureed sesame seeds)Concern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Traditional hummus ingredient.

    Additional note

    Ground sesame seeds, recognizable food.

  3. Distilled white vinegarConcern 1/10 — Very low concernAcidulant

    What this is

    Acidulant

    Processing category

    Processed

    Why it matters

    Ordinary pantry acid.

    Additional note

    Common vinegar used for acidity.

  4. Red bell pepper powderConcern 1/10 — Very low concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable flavor ingredient.

    Additional note

    Dried ground pepper, category-normal.

  5. ChickpeasConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Core recognizable base ingredient.

    Additional note

    Simple legume, recognizable whole food.

  6. WaterConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Basic recipe ingredient.

    Additional note

    Plain water used for texture.

  7. Sea saltConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Simple seasoning.

    Additional note

    Basic seasoning.

  8. Dried garlicConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable flavor ingredient.

    Additional note

    Dehydrated garlic, category-normal.

  9. PaprikaConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable spice.

    Additional note

    Ground spice.

  10. BasilConcern 0/10 — No meaningful concernSimple food

    What this is

    Simple food

    Processing category

    Whole food

    Why it matters

    Recognizable herb.

    Additional note

    Dried herb.

This Food Integrity score estimates how close a food appears to a simple, recognizable ingredient profile. It is not a medical safety rating. 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

    Supportive

    Metabolic Health

    For someone prioritizing Heart-Healthy Eating, the available data suggest this product may align in helpful ways.

    A supportive signal: Heart-friendly fat ingredients (Mentions "tahini". 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)

    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 "chickpea", "pepper", "peppers". 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 "chickpea", "pepper", "peppers". 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 "chickpea", "pepper", "peppers". 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 (Sunflower oil)

    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 Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus highly processed?

Food Integrity lists processing level as Lightly 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?

Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus shows about 1g of fiber per labeled serving in the Longevity nutrition facts.

Does it contain added sugar?

Trader Joe's Roasted Red Pepper Hummus: 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: Whole-food base; Low calorie; Minimal additives.

What prevented a perfect Longevity Score?

Key concerns noted include: Contains sunflower oil; Moderate sodium.

Who might evaluate this product differently?

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

Other published analyses in Spreads & Nut Butters, selected from the same Healthy Food Guide catalog.

Source data and Healthy Food Guide analysis

  1. Public label databases (including USDA FoodData Central and Open Food Facts) — Possible sources for package ingredients and nutrition.
  2. Healthy Food 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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