The Short Answer
Chomps is one of the cleanest meat snacks available today. They successfully transformed the gas station jerky stick into a genuinely healthy, whole-food product.
Every stick is made with 100% grass-fed beef or free-range turkey, packing 9 to 10 grams of protein with zero added sugar. They skip the synthetic preservatives entirely, relying on natural spices and lactic acid instead. Healthiest Beef Jerky
However, you still need to check your pantry. In March 2025, Chomps issued a voluntary recall on nearly 30,000 pounds of beef and turkey sticks due to potential metal fragment contamination.
Why This Matters
Traditional meat sticks are a masterclass in ultra-processing. Most conventional brands are loaded with corn syrup, artificial colors, and synthetic sodium nitrite. Is Beef Jerky Healthy
Chomps proves you don't need these chemicals to make a shelf-stable meat snack. By using high-quality meat and natural spices, they provide a clean source of on-the-go protein that perfectly fits into Whole30, Paleo, and Keto diets. Jerky No Sugar
But "clean" doesn't mean perfectly risk-free. Even premium jerky brands rely on celery juice powder for curing, which means you are still consuming naturally occurring nitrates. Are Nitrates In Jerky Bad
What's Actually In Chomps
- 100% Grass-Fed & Finished Beef — Meat from cows raised on pasture, which contains higher levels of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
- Cultured Celery Powder — A natural curing agent that preserves the meat, though it acts as a hidden source of nitrates. Jerky No Nitrates
- Encapsulated Lactic Acid — A safe, naturally occurring preservative that gives the stick its signature tangy flavor.
- Beef Collagen Casing — A clean, highly digestible alternative to the synthetic plastic casings used by cheaper brands.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Zero added sugar — Most jerky relies on brown sugar or corn syrup to mask the taste of low-quality meat.
- Grass-finished meat — Ensures the animals were never fed GMO grain or given routine antibiotics.
Red Flags:
- The 2025 Recall — Check your wrappers for lot codes ending in 25016 to ensure you don't have a recalled batch.
- High Sodium — A single stick contains 290mg of sodium, which is about 13% of your daily limit.
The Best Options
If you want a clean meat stick, you have a few excellent choices. Chomps Vs Epic
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chomps | Original Beef Stick | ✅ | 100% grass-fed with zero sugar. |
| Epic | Venison Meat Stick | ✅ | Wild-sourced meat with premium spices. |
| Slim Jim | Giant Smoked Snack | 🚫 | Full of corn syrup and mechanically separated chicken. |
The Bottom Line
1. Choose grass-fed beef or free-range turkey. This guarantees better animal welfare and a superior nutritional profile. Is Turkey Jerky Healthier
2. Watch your sodium intake. Even clean meat sticks pack a significant salty punch that adds up quickly.
3. Check your batch codes. Discard any Chomps sticks with a February 2026 expiration date tied to the March 2025 metal fragment recall.
FAQ
Are Chomps actually healthy?
Yes, Chomps are an excellent source of clean protein. They use high-quality meat and avoid the heavy chemical processing that makes traditional jerky a health risk. Is Jerky Processed Meat
Do Chomps have nitrates?
Technically, yes. While they don't add synthetic sodium nitrite, they use cultured celery powder which contains naturally occurring nitrates to cure the meat. Are Nitrates In Jerky Bad
What happened with the 2025 Chomps recall?
In March 2025, Chomps voluntarily recalled nearly 30,000 pounds of product after two customers found metal fragments in their beef sticks. No injuries were reported, but you should check expiration dates for February 2026 before snacking.
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