Primo Taglio

Rated at 1/5 green leaves, the Primo Taglio Virginia Ham is not recommended for those seeking cleaner food options. This product is not organic, and it does not use non-GMO ingredients, two criteria that weigh heavily in our assessment. The inclusion of dextrose, a type of added sugar, further detracts from its standing as a healthier choice. Additionally, the presence of sodium nitrite among its additives raises concerns due to its association with negative health effects.

The product is cured with a mixture that includes water, dextrose, salt, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, and sodium nitrite. The use of dextrose contributes to the product’s high score in added sugars, which we find undesirable in a clean diet. Sodium nitrite is a preservative that, while common in processed meats, has been linked to health risks and is thus penalized in our evaluation.

The lack of organic certification indicates that the ham may have been produced with conventional agricultural practices, which often rely on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. The absence of a non-GMO assurance suggests the potential use of genetically modified organisms in its production, a factor that many consumers looking for cleaner foods aim to avoid.

The Primo Taglio Virginia Ham, with a score of 1/5 green leaves, falls at the low end of our scale. This rating reflects our commitment to guiding consumers towards healthier, more natural food choices. We advise those seeking cleaner, less processed food options to consider alternatives that meet higher standards of organic and non-GMO practices, contain no added sugars, and avoid harmful additives like sodium nitrite. This product does not meet the criteria for those who prioritize a clean and healthy diet.