What's the Difference Between Claussen and Vlasic? Salt, Benzoate

Claussen lists sodium benzoate and 280 mg sodium per 1 oz, while the current Vlasic 24 fl oz label lists turmeric extract, no benzoate, and 220 mg sodium per 1 oz.

Both brands now color their spears with turmeric. Older Vlasic jars may still list Yellow 5, so the UPC and ingredient list on a given jar identify which formula you have.

Key takeaways

• Both jars list polysorbate 80, calcium chloride, and a turmeric-based color. Claussen also lists sodium benzoate (preservative), garlic, mustard seed, and red peppers, none of which appear in the current Vlasic 24 fl oz ingredient list.
• Per 1 oz (28 g), Claussen lists 280 mg sodium (12% DV) and the current Vlasic label lists 220 mg (10% DV). One Claussen spear is 1 oz, while one Vlasic spear is about 2/3 of that serving.
• Claussen's brand page states, "Our dill pickles contain no MSG, artificial colors or Yellow No 5," and says the jar should always be kept refrigerated. Vlasic's page says its spears have no artificial dyes and are naturally colored with turmeric, but that page does not state storage.
• An older Vlasic 32 oz label in Open Food Facts lists yellow 5, so checking the UPC and ingredient statement on the specific jar is necessary.

Claussen vs Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears at a Glance: Ingredients, Sodium, and Storage

The table below compares the labels side by side using the figures published on each brand's page, the Vlasic SmartLabel for the 24 fl oz jar, and the older Vlasic label in Open Food Facts. Where a detail is not disclosed, the table says so rather than filling the gap.

Label item	Claussen Kosher Dill Pickle Spears (24 fl oz)	Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears (24 fl oz, current SmartLabel)
Serving size	1 oz (28 g), 1 spear	1 oz (28 g), about 2/3 spear
Calories per serving	5	0
Sodium per serving	280 mg (12% DV)	220 mg (10% DV)
Total carbohydrate	1 g	Less than 1 g
Total and added sugars	0 g and 0 g	0 g and 0 g (from SmartLabel)
Sodium benzoate	sodium benzoate (preservative)	Not in current ingredient list
Polysorbate 80	Listed	Listed
Calcium chloride	Listed	Listed
Color listed	Oleoresin turmeric (color)	Turmeric extract (color)
Garlic, mustard seed, red peppers	Listed	Not in current ingredient list
Yellow 5	Brand page: "Our dill pickles contain no MSG, artificial colors or Yellow No 5"	Current label shows turmeric; older 32 oz label lists yellow 5
Storage instruction	Always keep refrigerated; do not freeze (brand page)	Not disclosed (brand page does not state storage)
Allergen information	Listed as not available on brand page	Not disclosed

A Claussen spear equals one labeled serving, while a Vlasic spear is roughly two-thirds of one. Readers comparing a single spear should keep that difference in mind, because the sodium figures on each label apply to different amounts of pickle.

Yellow 5 vs Turmeric Color: What Each Label Declares and Why It Matters

Claussen's ingredient list names oleoresin turmeric as the color, and its brand page states, "Our dill pickles contain no MSG, artificial colors or Yellow No 5." The current Vlasic label names turmeric extract as the color, and the Vlasic product page says the spears have no artificial dyes and are naturally colored with turmeric.

Under federal rules, FD&C Yellow No. 5 is a certified color additive, and its listing and certification requirements appear in 21 CFR 74.705, including paragraphs (d)(2) and (e). Turmeric oleoresin is a color additive that is exempt from certification under 21 CFR 73.615. A turmeric-based color is therefore regulated differently from Yellow 5 on the label and in certification.

The FDA's color additive Q&A lists FD&C Yellow No. 5 among certified colors used in foods that include condiments. The list does not name pickles specifically, but the older Vlasic label described below lists yellow 5.

The labels do not disclose how much turmeric is in either jar or whether the turmeric source varies by batch. Those details are treated here as not disclosed.

Is Yellow 5 Still on Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears? Check Your Jar's UPC and Ingredients

The current Vlasic 24 fl oz SmartLabel (UPC 054100000606, information updated April 25, 2025) lists turmeric extract as the color and does not list Yellow 5. An older Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears label for a 32 oz jar (UPC 0054100001405), as recorded in Open Food Facts, lists yellow 5 in its ingredients. Jars on store shelves or in pantries may therefore carry either version.

The date Vlasic stopped using Yellow 5 is not disclosed. It is also not disclosed whether every Vlasic product, including chips, whole pickles, or relish, has switched to turmeric.

To check a specific jar:

• Find the UPC on the label and compare it with the UPC in the listing you are reading.
• Read the full ingredient statement, not only the front-of-jar claims.
• Look for the color name: "turmeric extract" or "oleoresin turmeric" differs from "yellow 5."
• Confirm the jar size, since the 24 fl oz and 32 oz labels are different products.

Sodium Benzoate vs No Benzoate: Claussen's Preservative and Vlasic's Omission

Claussen's ingredient list includes sodium benzoate (preservative). The current Vlasic ingredient list does not include sodium benzoate.

Sodium benzoate is affirmed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) under 21 CFR 184.1733. The regulation states that current usage results in a maximum level of 0.1 percent in food.

The labels do not explain why Vlasic's current formula omits sodium benzoate, and the amount of any preservative in either batch is not disclosed.

Polysorbate 80 in Both Jars: What the Regulations Allow and What Is Not Disclosed

Both Claussen and the current Vlasic 24 fl oz label list polysorbate 80. Under 21 CFR 172.840, polysorbate 80 may be used as a solubilizing and dispersing agent in pickles and pickle products at no more than 500 parts per million. The rule sets a ceiling, and the amount in either jar is not disclosed on the labels.

Sodium per Spear and per Ounce: 280 mg vs 220 mg in Practice

Claussen lists 280 mg of sodium per 1 oz (28 g), which is 12% of the Daily Value. The current Vlasic label lists 220 mg per 1 oz, which is 10% of the Daily Value. The older 32 oz Vlasic label in Open Food Facts also lists 220 mg per 1 oz.

The FDA's sodium guidance describes the Daily Value for sodium as less than 2,300 mg per day. Sodium from additives such as sodium benzoate is included in the sodium figure on the Nutrition Facts label, so the figure reflects the whole formula and not only the salt in the ingredient list.

The two jars differ in how the serving maps onto a spear. A single Claussen spear is 1 oz, so its labeled sodium applies to one spear. A Vlasic spear is about 2/3 of the labeled serving, so the sodium in one spear would be less than 220 mg, but the label does not state the exact per-spear figure. Readers counting spears should convert using the serving sizes printed on each label. For a similar label comparison focused on sodium, see Kraft Singles vs Velveeta Slices: 230 mg vs 260 mg Sodium.

Refrigeration: Why Claussen Is Sold Chilled and What the Vlasic Label Says

Claussen's brand page says the spears are "crafted with fresh cucumbers picked from the vine and refrigerated for our classic Claussen crunch." The same page includes the instructions "Do Not Freeze" and "Always Keep Refrigerated." The product is sold refrigerated.

The Vlasic product page describes its spears as "fresh-pack," but it does not state storage or refrigeration instructions. Storage for Vlasic Kosher Dill Spears is therefore not disclosed in these sources. Readers should not assume that the Vlasic jar follows the same storage instruction as the Claussen jar. The printed instruction on the actual jar is the authoritative source.

Refrigeration differences are a handling detail rather than an ingredient difference. This article does not state that either storage method is safer or that one product spoils faster.

How to Spot These Differences on a Pickle Jar Label

Use the following checklist when comparing any two jars of dill pickle spears:

• Check the UPC and the product size, since older and current labels for the same product name can differ.
• Read the ingredient list in order, and note any "less than 2% of" grouping.
• Find the color entry and its name, such as turmeric extract, oleoresin turmeric, or yellow 5.
• Note preservatives, such as sodium benzoate, and whether they appear in the list.
• Compare sodium per serving and the percent Daily Value, and confirm the serving size.
• Look for a storage line, such as "keep refrigerated" or "do not freeze."
• Check for an allergen statement. Claussen's brand page shows allergen information as not available, and Vlasic's allergen information is not disclosed.

For a broader guide to reading color declarations, see Color Added vs Named Colors: 6 Scanned Labels Without FD&C Dyes.

Who May Want to Read These Labels More Closely: Allergy, Sodium, and Sensitivity Notes

People who track sodium may want to compare the per-serving figures and the serving sizes, since the two products are labeled differently per spear. People who are concerned about synthetic dyes may want to note that the current Vlasic label and the Claussen label both name a turmeric-based color, while the older Vlasic label names yellow 5. People with food allergies or sensitivities may want to read the full ingredient list, which for Claussen includes garlic, mustard seed, and red peppers, and check the allergen information on the package. Claussen's brand page lists allergen information as not available, and Vlasic's is not disclosed.

These labels cannot establish how any individual will respond to any ingredient. This article is educational and is not medical advice. Anyone with a medical question should consult a qualified clinician.

To see how each ingredient on a specific jar is explained, you can scan the product yourself with the Aurascan app, which lists the ingredients one by one with cited evidence. Scan your next label with Aurascan