Hidden Valley
Open Food Facts brand roll-up for Hidden Valley, current as of September 2026. Screening averages and flag shares live in the short-answer band below. This hero only situates the catalog slice.
The short answer
Hidden Valley averages 94.2/100 across the 145 of 203 tracked products that carry an ingredient list, and 20.0% of those contain at least one separately flagged ingredient. The figure summarizes Open Food Facts labels cross-referenced with FDA SAFFA and CSPI; it does not establish recall status, allergy suitability, or the composition of products outside this snapshot.
- 94.2/100
- average ingredient-screening score across 145 scored products
- 203
- tracked products in this brand roll-up
- 20.0%
- scored products with at least one flagged ingredient
- 99.3%
- of NOVA-classified products that are ultra-processed (Group 4)
Source snapshot current as of September 2026; open individual products before making a product-specific decision.
Portfolio reading
Use the distribution, then open the outliers
With 203 tracked products, the useful signal is the shape of the portfolio rather than one headline score. The current concern-sorted list begins Pesto sandwich spread & dip; Avocado dressing; Cold dip & appetizer mix; 20.0% of records contain at least one flagged ingredient while the overall mean is 94.2/100. Open those outliers first, then compare neighboring formulations. The aggregate does not establish recall status, allergen suitability, or the composition of an item outside this snapshot.
Catalog evidence
Ingredient-list coverage comes before the score
Only 145 of 203 tracked Hidden Valley records (71.4%) include an ingredient list. The remaining 58 cannot be screened, so the 94.2/100 mean describes the labelled subset rather than the whole brand.
Next check: use the product rows below to verify the labelled subset, then compare the current package for any unscored item.
What the Data Says About Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley: 203 products tracked, 145 with an ingredient list, avg safety score 94.2/100, 20.0% of those scored products has at least one flagged ingredient.
Because ingredient lists cover only 71.4% of tracked records, this average is a description of the labelled subset, not a brand-wide tier. The coverage gap is the dominant limitation. Scoring methodology + dye-pledge context →
Among the 804 brands with 50+ products (the typical brand in that group flags 18% of its catalog), Hidden Valley's 20.0% flagged share is 2 points above that cohort median.
Processing mix (NOVA)
Hidden Valley processing intensity
Hidden Valley's NOVA-classified set is 142 products: 99.3% ultra-processed (Group 4, 141 items) with Group 4 (ultra-processed) largest at 141. That ultra-processed share sits 21 points above the 78.3% median for 1,323 brands with 50+ products. NOVA is processing intensity, not additive safety.
Shelf mix
Where Hidden Valley shows up in Open Food Facts
In Open Food Facts shelf labels, Hidden Valley concentrates in Condiments (110, 87% of this top-five); Meals (5); Plant-based foods and beverages (5); Snacks (4); Fats (2).
Average score by leading shelf label
| Shelf | Scored n | Avg | Flagged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condiments | 104 | 94.8/100 | 19.2% |
| Meals | 5 | 87/100 | 20% |
| Plant-based foods and beverages | 4 | 82.5/100 | 50% |
| Snacks | 4 | 97.5/100 | 50% |
| Fats | 2 | 60/100 | 50% |
Cohort context
Flagged-ingredient share among large brands
Hidden Valley's 20.0% flagged share is measured across 145 scored products. The chart places that rate against the 50 brands with 50+ scored products in this snapshot, the same qualifying cohort used on the rankings page.
Hidden Valley flagged share vs large-brand cohort
20.0% of scored products carry at least one flagged ingredient
20% 0th percentile is at or above the flagged share of 0% of the 50 qualifying brands we track
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more qualifying brands. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Distribution as text
- 0%–10%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 10%–20%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 20%–30%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 30%–40%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 40%–50%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 50%–60%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 60%–70%
- 0 qualifying brands (0%)
- 70%–80%
- 3 qualifying brands (6%)
- 80%–90%
- 25 qualifying brands (50%)
- 90% and above
- 22 qualifying brands (44%)
Source Open Food Facts × FDA SAFFA × CSPI · September 2026
Portfolio shape
How scores cluster inside this brand
The brand average (94.2/100) summarizes 145 scored products. This distribution shows whether that mean sits on a tight cluster or a wide spread, a few low-scoring SKUs can matter even when the headline average looks strong.
Hidden Valley product score distribution
Brand average 94.2/100 across 145 scored products
94 17th percentile sits above 17% of the 145 scored products we track
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more scored products. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Distribution as text
- 20–30
- 2 scored products (1%)
- 30–40
- 2 scored products (1%)
- 40–50
- 2 scored products (1%)
- 50–60
- 5 scored products (3%)
- 70–80
- 1 scored products (1%)
- 80–90
- 8 scored products (6%)
- 90–100
- 9 scored products (6%)
- 100 and above
- 116 scored products (80%)
Source Open Food Facts product labels × FDA SAFFA × CSPI · September 2026
Hidden Valley relies most on Caramel Coloring, an industry staple
Across the 145 Hidden Valley products scored here, Caramel Coloring appears in 11. It is used by 3,551 other brands in this database (10.1% of them), so its presence says more about the category than about this brand. A flag records that a named source raised a concern about an ingredient. It is not a finding that a product is unsafe to eat.
| Flagged ingredient | Hidden Valley products | Why it is flagged |
|---|---|---|
| Caramel Coloring | 11 | Restricted: California (Prop 65 warning for 4-MEI) |
| Yellow 6 | 10 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
| Yellow 5 | 9 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
| Sodium Nitrite | 7 | Preservative with a recorded concern |
| Blue 1 | 3 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
| Carrageenan | 2 | Concern recorded by a review body; no ban cited |
| Red 3 | 2 | FDA ban effective 2027-01-15 · Restricted: California (AB 418; effective 2027-01-01); Federal (FDA; effective 2027-01-15) |
| Red 40 | 1 | FDA voluntary phase-out target 2027-12-31 (a request, not a ban) · Restricted: California (schools) |
Counts are products in this database whose ingredient list names the flagged ingredient. Flags come from FDA enforcement actions, CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings and US state ingredient laws; see the methodology for how each source is applied.
Visible product sample
Label complexity does not determine the screening result
Each point is one of the 50 concern-sorted Hidden Valley records shown below. Horizontal position is the number of resolved ingredients on that product's stored label; vertical position is its source-derived screening score. The dashed medians (25.5 ingredients and 95/100) divide this displayed sample only. A longer label is not automatically worse: open a specific product to inspect its flagged rows and source coverage.
- Shown records
- 50
- Median label
- 25.5 ingredients
- Median score
- 95/100
The outlined point is Pesto sandwich spread & dip, the displayed record with the most flagged ingredients (4). Bubble size represents flagged ingredient count plus one, so zero-flagged products remain visible. The score is derived from FDA SAFFA and CSPI fields; this chart does not establish recall status, dietary suitability, or a health outcome.
Read the plotted values
- Pesto sandwich spread & dip: 35 resolved ingredients, 20/100, 4 flagged.
- Avocado dressing: 26 resolved ingredients, 25/100, 3 flagged.
- Cold dip & appetizer mix: 26 resolved ingredients, 35/100, 3 flagged.
- Hidden valley, pasta salad, penne pasta & seasoning mix, bacon & cheddar naturally flavored: 33 resolved ingredients, 35/100, 3 flagged.
- Hidden valley, salad crispins, american style bac'n & onion croutons: 37 resolved ingredients, 45/100, 3 flagged.
- Crouton Bites: 37 resolved ingredients, 45/100, 3 flagged.
- Dressing: 27 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Cheese dressing: 30 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Hidden valley, farmhouse originals, dressing, pomegranate vinaigrette: 27 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Hidden valley, spicy chipotle cheddar warm dip & appetizer mix: 18 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Deluxe Cheese & Ranch Dip Aged Cheddar: 63 resolved ingredients, 50/100, 2 flagged.
- Sweet chili dressing: 42 resolved ingredients, 80/100, 2 flagged.
- Hidden valley, farmhouse originals, dressing & marinade, dijon mustard: 26 resolved ingredients, 75/100, 1 flagged.
- Dressing: 25 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 1 flagged.
- Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Bacon: 25 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 1 flagged.
- Hidden valley, farmhouse originals, dressing, hickory bacon and onion: 30 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 1 flagged.
- Tomato & bacon dressing & marinade: 26 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 1 flagged.
- Hidden valley, smoked bacon ranch sandwich spread & dip: 33 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 1 flagged.
- Crouton bites: 36 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 1 flagged.
- The Original Ranch, Dressing, Bacon: 16 resolved ingredients, 85/100, 1 flagged.
- French with Honey Dressing: 25 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- The original light ranch dressing: 29 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- Hidden valley, farmhouse originals creamy parmesan dressing: 32 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- Hidden valley, dressing, caesar: 44 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- Dip & Dessert Mix: 10 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- Dip & Dessert Mix: 10 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- Greek yogurt dressing: 41 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- BURGER SECRET SAUCE: 30 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- Light dressing: 29 resolved ingredients, 95/100, 1 flagged.
- Thick & Creamy French Onion Dip: 24 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- The Original Ranch: 23 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- French Style Dressing with Honey: 24 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Original Ranch Portion Pack: 15 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- The original ranch: 20 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- The Original Ranch: 21 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Easy squeeze original ranch light salad dressing & topping: 23 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Dressing: 25 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Spicy dressing: 29 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Dressing: 21 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Dressing: 30 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Peppercorn dressing: 27 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Hidden valley ranch: 18 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Original Ranch Dip: 9 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Ranch Packet Restaurant-Style Dressing: 12 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Seasoning Dressing & Recipe Mix: 16 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Dips mix the original ranch: 9 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Original Ranch Salad Dressing: 22 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- The Original Ranch Condiment & Dressing: 22 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Thick & creamy light dressing: 22 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
- Ranch Light Condiment & Dressing: 22 resolved ingredients, 100/100, 0 flagged.
Products by Hidden Valley
Showing 50 display-quality records, sorted by concern level (most flagged first); 153 tracked records with unusable upstream names remain in the aggregate but are not shown.
Nationwide brands with similar catalog profiles
Two PlainFoodSafe-derived peer sets for Hidden Valley: closest on tracked product count (203 here) and closest on average ingredient screening score (94.2/100 here). Rows stay link-disjoint so each axis is a distinct neighborhood, not a largest-catalog strip.
Similar product count
Nearest other brands by Open Food Facts product count (floored at ≥50).
Similar average screening score
Nearest other brands by average ingredient screening score (floored at ≥50 scored products), distinct from the count row.
Counts and averages from Open Food Facts labels screened against FDA SAFFA and CSPI Chemical Cuisine; neither axis is a health outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hidden Valley food safe? ▼
Hidden Valley has an average safety score of 94/100 across the 145 of 203 tracked products that carry an ingredient list. 20.0% of those contain flagged ingredients.
How many Hidden Valley products are tracked? ▼
Our database tracks 203 Hidden Valley products. 145 include an ingredient list and can be screened against FDA SAFFA and CSPI data; 58 cannot be scored from this snapshot.
How processed is the Hidden Valley catalog? ▼
Hidden Valley has 142 NOVA-classified products; 99.3% are ultra-processed (Group 4, 141 items) and Group 4 is the largest slice. NOVA describes processing intensity, not whether additives on a label are flagged.
Which shelves dominate the Hidden Valley catalog? ▼
In Open Food Facts shelf labels, Hidden Valley concentrates in Condiments (110, 87% of this top-five); Meals (5); Plant-based foods and beverages (5); Snacks (4); Fats (2).
Does Hidden Valley use artificial dyes? ▼
Open the individual product pages below to see which Hidden Valley items list a synthetic dye on their label. For whether the company has committed to removing dyes, the FDA and CSPI both publish corporate-commitment trackers; we no longer restate those commitments here.
What to do with this Hidden Valley profile
Use this roll-up as orientation, then verify the specific package you hold against its ingredient panel and the named official sources.
- Start with Pesto sandwich spread & dip, the displayed product with the most flagged ingredients (4) in this sample. Open the outlier product
- Caramel Coloring appears in 11 scored Hidden Valley products, review why each source flags it before treating the brand average as uniform. Review flagged ingredient counts
- Compare Hidden Valley's 94.2/100 average and 20.0% flagged share against other brands before treating either figure as a recall or clearance signal. Brand safety rankings
- Cross-check any additive concern against FDA SAFFA and CSPI Chemical Cuisine rather than relying on this derived index alone. Scoring methodology
A flagged ingredient records a source concern, not a recall, ban, or medical clearance. Always verify the current package label and consult official sources for product-specific decisions.
Citation & disclaimer notes
Brand scores aggregate ingredient-level FDA SAFFA + CSPI Chemical Cuisine ratings across Open Food Facts product data. See our methodology. Retrieved and formatted by PlainFoodSafe.Disclaimer: Informational purposes only; not professional advice. A flagged ingredient is not a recall or a ban. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.
Every figure on PlainFoodSafe is rendered directly from OpenFoodFacts and FDA data, no number is typed in by an editor. Brand figures are computed directly from OpenFoodFacts and FDA data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of September 2026.
