Condiments & seasonings · Product label guide
Pickles & fermented vegetables: compare ingredients, then choose.
Updated
Compare pickle, sauerkraut and kimchi labels: fermented or vinegar-packed, half-sour and kosher dill styles, sodium, dyes, preservatives and sweeteners.
The short answer
Our picks for pickles & fermented vegetables
Top of the shelfGold Mine Natural Food Co. Gold Mine Organic Sauerkraut, Gold Mine Natural Food Co. Organic Umeboshi Puree Og, and Gold Mine Natural Food Co. Ohsawa Organic Umeboshi Plums each score 100/100. 5 products tie at 100; these 3 have the shortest labels. Use Compare by in the table to separate the rest.
Also strongGold Mine Natural Food Co. Gold Mine Organic Kimchi (100), Gold Mine Natural Food Co. Gold Mine Organic Golden Kraut (100), and Gold Mine Natural Food Co. Shredded Pickled Ginger (71).
Clear noNone. Nothing scored here lists any of the nine groups we check, so there’s no additive to rule out. We also can’t vouch for the 24 products without a verified current label; treat them as “not yet”.
Ranked from 35 of 59 products with current labels. Every product is in the table below; a score reflects labels and claims, not nutrition, allergies or safety.
Compare the recorded labels
Find the ingredients that matter to you.
“No …” columns: None found on the label · Listed on the label · Unknown. Diet fit: Fits · Doesn’t fit · Unknown (rules; not medical advice). Claims: verified · not established. Default: most check marks first; not a health score.
| Buy | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic cabbage, Organic carrot, Celtic sea salt, Organic garlic, Organic ginger juice, Organic turmeric powder, Organic curry powder, Organic cayenne pepper, Organic black pepper Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “GOLD MINE ORGANIC GOLDEN KRAUT”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Napa Cabbage, Organic Carrot, Organic Scallion, Celtic Sea SaltR Brand Sea Salt, Organic Garlic, Organic Ginger, Organic Cayenne Pepper, Organic Chili Pepper Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “GOLD MINE ORGANIC KIMCHI”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic cabbage, Celtic sea salt Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “GOLD MINE ORGANIC SAUERKRAUT”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Organic Ume plums, Organic Shiso (perilla) leaves, and natural sea salt. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “OHSAWA ORGANIC UMEBOSHI PLUMS”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 100 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · organic | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 5 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients organic Umeboshi (organic Ume plums, sea salt), Organic ume vinegar (Organic ume plum, Sea salt, organic shiso Leaves) Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Sourcing claim evidence ↗ · reviewed 2026-10-16 Producer claims Organic The exact source catalog title states: “ORGANIC UMEBOSHI PUREE OG 5.3 OZ”. Source catalog claims are shown separately from ingredient checks. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed 2026-10-16 | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumbers, Water, Salt, Garlic, Dill, Spices, Mustard Seed, Calcium Chloride (a natural salt) Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cabbage, Salt, Caraway Seed Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Ume plums, shiso (perilla) leaves, and natural sea salt. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Ume plum vinegar (shiso leaves, Ume plums, sea salt), salted ginger (Ginger, salt) Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Daikon radish pickled in rice bran, sea salt. Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumbers, Brine (Water, Distilled White Vinegar, Salt), Garlic, Dill, Grape Leaves Label checked 2026-10-19 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumber, Water, Cane Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Distilled White Vinegar, Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Garlic, Dill, Onion Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumber, Water, Distilled White Vinegar, Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Dill, Garlic Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumber, Water, Salt, Less Than 2% Of: Dill, Garlic, Distilled White Vinegar Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumber, Water, Distilled White Vinegar, Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Red Pepper, Dill, Garlic, Dill Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumber, Water, Salt, Less Than 2% Of: Garlic, Distilled White Vinegar, Dill, Red Pepper Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Cucumber, Water, Cane Sugar, Apple Cider Vinegar, Distilled White Vinegar, Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Red Pepper, Garlic, Onion, Dill Label checked 2026-10-16 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Slightly spicy with flavors reminiscent of the Mediterranean, Fermented Okra's composition and texture does not have the viscosity of cooked okra. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
| 71 / 1009 of 9 groups clear · no organic claim | Find where to buy ↗Product details → | 4 | ||||||
Recorded ingredients Crispy texture with a slow glow heat, fermented Spicy Green Beans finish with grassy notes. Mild heat. Label checked 2026-10-17 · US Ingredient evidence source ↗Producer claims Sourcing claim not reviewed The catalog establishes this product’s name and photograph. Sourcing claims and a complete ingredient label may still need review. Producer claim source ↗Reviewed | ||||||||
How the clean score works
No setup needed, and strict: a full 100 needs every additive group clear and a verified organic claim (animal foods also need a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim; wild seafood and salt, which have no USDA organic standard, are scored without the organic points, and plant-based milks, cheeses and proteins without the feeding claim). Points: the nine additive groups (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) share 60 points equally — not found earns a group’s full share, “may contain” earns half, listed earns 0; a verified organic claim is worth 25; a verified grass-fed or pasture-raised claim is worth 15 and counts only for animal foods. No claim, or an expired or unverified claim, earns nothing, so products without those claims cannot reach 100. Unverified or expired ingredient labels receive no score. Equal scores are equal. Ties are ordered by brand. Unknown and stale evidence never passes “Only show matches.” Producer claims and prices do not affect this score. This is not a nutrition, allergy, or safety rating.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying links do not influence ingredient results. “Buy on Amazon” opens a reviewed product listing; “Find where to buy” opens the maker’s page. Confirm the package, seller, stock, and current price before checkout. Price observations expire after 30 days.
The full guide · Condiments & seasonings
Choosing pickles & fermented vegetables: what to check before you buy
Choose vinegar pickles, sweet pickles or fermented vegetables for the flavor and storage needs you want. Check the brine, sweeteners and seasonings, along with any color or preservative ingredients.
If live cultures matter, look for an explicit maker statement and handling instructions; refrigeration or a short ingredient list alone does not confirm them. Compare sodium using a similar portion of vegetables.
What the labels on this shelf show
We track 59 products from 10 brands on the pickles & fermented vegetables shelf. 35 have a complete, current ingredient label on record (59%), which is what lets us score them. The other 24 stay unscored until the maker publishes a full label; a missing label is “not yet”, never a pass.
Of the 35 scored labels, 35 (100%) list none of the nine additive groups we check, so on additives alone the whole scored shelf is clear. 5 scored products carry a verified organic claim, which adds points. Scores here run from 71 to 100, and the typical label lists 8 ingredients.
What to compare
- Style and brine
- Compare vinegar pickles, sweet pickles and fermented vegetables within the style you want.
- Culture information
- Use an explicit statement and handling directions if live cultures matter.
- Sweeteners and colors
- Check the exact brine recipe for ingredients you prefer to avoid.
- Sodium and portion
- Compare similar amounts of vegetables.
The best picks, in detail
These are the highest-scoring pickles & fermented vegetables products on current labels. 5 products tie at 100, so we put the shortest ingredient lists first; Always match the exact flavor and package before you buy.
Gold Mine Natural Food Co. Gold Mine Organic Sauerkraut 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic cabbage, Celtic sea salt”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceGold Mine Natural Food Co. Organic Umeboshi Puree Og 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “organic Umeboshi (organic Ume plums, sea salt), Organic ume vinegar (Organic ume plum, Sea salt, organic shiso Leaves)”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceGold Mine Natural Food Co. Ohsawa Organic Umeboshi Plums 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic Ume plums, Organic Shiso (perilla) leaves, and natural sea salt.”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceGold Mine Natural Food Co. Gold Mine Organic Kimchi 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic Napa Cabbage, Organic Carrot, Organic Scallion, Celtic Sea SaltR Brand Sea Salt, Organic Garlic, Organic Ginger, Organic Cayenne Pepper, Organic Chili Pepper”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceGold Mine Natural Food Co. Gold Mine Organic Golden Kraut 100/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, a verified organic claim. Label: “Organic cabbage, Organic carrot, Celtic sea salt, Organic garlic, Organic ginger juice, Organic turmeric powder, Organic curry powder, Organic cayenne pepper, Organic black pepper”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label sourceGold Mine Natural Food Co. Shredded Pickled Ginger 71/100
Why it ranks here: no tracked additive group on the label, no verified organic claim. Label: “Ume plum vinegar (shiso leaves, Ume plums, sea salt), salted ginger (Ginger, salt)”
Find where to buy ↗Maker’s label source
What to skip, and why
No scored label lists any of the nine groups, so there is no additive to rule out.
The 24 products without a verified label are a separate “not yet”: we have no recorded ingredient list to check, so we cannot say they are clean or flagged.
Your preferences, explained
The clean score is strict and needs no setup: nine additive groups not found in a current ingredient statement, plus a verified organic claim (and a grass-fed or pasture-raised claim for animal foods), are needed for 100; a possible match earns half and a missing claim earns nothing. Missing or expired evidence stays unknown. It does not assess nutrition, allergies, contaminants, or safety.
References
- Pickling and fermenting National Center for Home Food Preservation (University of Georgia)
- 21 CFR Part 114: Acidified foods Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Color additives: questions and answers for consumers U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Sodium in your diet U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Questions and answers on the gluten-free labeling rules, including fermented foods U.S. Food and Drug Administration
An ingredient check is not a nutrition, contaminant, allergy or safety assessment. How we verify labels →
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