Thanksgiving® Turkey Stick

Our research notes

What to know before you choose this meat snacks

The maker’s published label lists 13 ingredients, led by turkey, sweetened dried cranberries and natural flavor. Worth noting: it lists added sweeteners (sweetened dried cranberries and brown sugar) and natural flavors. None of the other additive groups we check appear. For meat snack, the comparison that matters most is sodium per serving: many meat snacks provide 300–500 mg or more per serving; compare per ounce.

• Good signNone of the nine additive groups we check (seed oils, artificial dyes, MSG, artificial sweeteners, carrageenan, artificial preservatives, hydrogenated oils, corn syrups, banned-abroad additives) appear on the recorded label.
• Worth checkingLists added sweeteners: sweetened dried cranberries and brown sugar (first appears at position 2 of 13).
• Worth checkingLists natural flavors; the specific flavoring ingredients are not disclosed.
• Good to knowCured with a nitrite source (celery or sodium nitrite); processed meat is classified as carcinogenic to humans by the WHO’s cancer agency.

Compare this against other meat snacks

• Sodium per serving. Many meat snacks provide 300–500 mg or more per serving; compare per ounce.
• Added sugar and sauces. Teriyaki and BBQ flavors add sugar, soy sauce and flavorings.
• Cure source. “Uncured” means a natural nitrite source; read the cure statement.

References

1. Think Jerky product page Think Jerky
2. Cancer: carcinogenicity of red meat and processed meat consumption World Health Organization
3. Meat and poultry labeling terms USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service
4. Sodium in your diet U.S. Food and Drug Administration

These notes summarize the maker’s own published label and public references. They are not medical advice or a nutrition, allergy or safety rating, and the maker’s claims are not independently verified here.