# Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** Old El Paso - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** International & World Foods - **Size:** 8.80 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/old-el-paso-mexican-style-rice-880-oz - **Slug:** `old-el-paso-mexican-style-rice-880-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods The product contains processed ingredients and multiple industrial additives (maltodextrin, dextrose, flavor enhancers, artificial flavor, silicon dioxide) and is a ready-to-heat convenience food, consistent with an ultraprocessed classification. ## Review Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice is a colorful, convenience-oriented side dish you’d spot in the international or dinner-kit aisle of a typical American supermarket, shelved near taco shells, seasoning mixes, and boxed side dishes. Packaged for quick use—often in a lightweight shelf-stable box or microwaveable pouch—it leans into ready-to-serve appeal for busy households. The brand leans on broadly familiar Mexican-food cues: festive photography, bright reds and yellows, and family-friendly copy that signals ease and tradition rather than authenticity. Shoppers reach for it on weeknights, during back-to-school grocery runs, for game-day spreads, or when assembling a quick one-pan dinner. Labeling usually emphasizes “Mexican style” and convenience; it may imply wholesome ingredients with images of peppers and beans but typically lacks organic certification or explicit “all-natural” guarantees. Sensory experience is straightforward: fluffy white rice studded with soft kidney beans and flecks of rehydrated red bell pepper and tomato, a mild tomato-acid tang, and a faint heat from jalapeño and spice blends; texture is moist and cohesive rather than loose-grain. The ritual is simple—heat, spoon into a plate or taco bowl, and serve alongside proteins and tortillas. From a processing standpoint, this is a convenience product assembled from cooked and dried components with flavor systems and stabilizers to ensure shelf life and consistent taste. It occupies a practical niche in American food culture: approachable, familiar, and marketed to families and time-pressed cooks who want a “Mexican-style” side without chopping or simmering from scratch. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Dairy-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 1 cup - **Servings per container:** 1 - **Calories:** 300 - **Total fat:** 4g (5% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 1g (5% DV) - **Sodium:** 460mg (20% DV) - **Total carbs:** 61g (22% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 5g (18% DV) - **Total sugars:** 2g - **Protein:** 6g ## Ingredients Cooked White Rice, Red Bell Pepper, Tomato Paste, Kidney Beans. Contains 2% or Less of: Sunflower Oil, Tomato*, Jalapeno Pepper, Spice, Garlic*, Vegetable Broth* (Salt, Maltodextrin, Onion*, Dextrose, Sugar, Corn Starch, Soy Sauce*, Yeast Extract, Disodium Guanylate, Disodium Inosinate, Garlic*, Silicon Dioxide, Vegetable Oil, Artificial Flavor, Spice), Onion*. *Dried. ## Flagged ingredients - **sunflower oil** (seed-oil): Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids - **soy lecithin** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier - **Disodium Guanylate** (preservative): Synthetic preservative - **Disodium Inosinate** (preservative): Synthetic preservative ## Context tags - **Occasions:** back-to-school, game-day-prep, meal-prep-sunday - **Vibes:** convenient, comforting, nostalgic ## FAQ ### Is Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice healthy? Well, that depends on how you define 'healthy'! With 5 grams of fiber and only 300 calories per cup, it can fit nicely into a balanced meal. Just keep in mind that it has a moderate amount of sodium at 460 mg, so if you're watching your salt intake, you might want to pair it with something fresh and crunchy! ### Is Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice vegan? Nope, this one isn't vegan. It contains ingredients like vegetable broth that may include animal-derived components, so if you're steering clear of animal products, you might want to skip this and look for a fully plant-based option instead. ### Is Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice gluten-free? Good news for gluten-sensitive folks! Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice doesn’t contain any gluten ingredients, but it’s always wise to double-check if you have a severe allergy, as cross-contamination can happen in processing. ### Does it contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain sunflower oil, which is considered a seed oil. Seed oils can sometimes be a topic of debate in health circles, but they are generally safe to consume in moderation. They help keep the rice moist and flavorful, so it’s all about balance! ### Does it contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, no artificial sweeteners here! You can enjoy this rice without worrying about any sneaky sugar substitutes hiding in the ingredients. It’s just the natural goodness of the veggies and spices. ### Is Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice high in sugar? Not at all! With only 2 grams of total sugars per serving, it’s definitely on the lower side. This rice focuses more on savory flavors than sweetness, making it a versatile base for your meals. ### What are healthier alternatives to Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice? If you're looking for something with fewer preservatives or want to skip the sodium, consider making your own Mexican-style rice from scratch using brown rice, fresh veggies, and spices. Quinoa is also a great alternative for a protein boost, plus it’s gluten-free! ### Can kids eat Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice? Absolutely! Most kids love the colorful mix of rice, beans, and peppers. Just keep an eye on the sodium content if you’re serving it regularly, and you might want to add some extra fresh veggies on the side for a balanced plate. ### Is it good for weight loss? It can be! With a decent amount of fiber and relatively low calories, it can help keep you feeling full. Just remember that portion control and what you pair it with (like lean proteins or lots of veggies) will play a big role in your weight loss journey. ### Is Old El Paso Mexican Style Rice ultra-processed? It’s processed, but not ultra-processed. It has recognizable ingredients like rice and beans, and while it does contain some preservatives, it’s not loaded with artificial flavors or colors. 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