Which Has More Sodium, Old El Paso or McCormick Taco Mix?

McCormick Original Taco Seasoning Mix lists more sodium per labeled serving than Old El Paso Original, at 380 mg in 1.5 tsp compared with 280 mg in 2 tsp. Because the serving sizes differ and the packets list different numbers of servings, label math puts a whole 1 oz packet at about 1,400 mg for Old El Paso and about 2,280 mg for McCormick. The two ingredient lists also differ, and the sections below set those facts side by side.

Key takeaways

• Per labeled serving, McCormick Original has 380 mg sodium (1.5 tsp) and Old El Paso Original has 280 mg (2 tsp).
• Per whole 1 oz packet, label math gives about 1,400 mg for Old El Paso (5 x 280 mg) and about 2,280 mg for McCormick (about 6 x 380 mg).
• The FDA Daily Value for sodium is less than 2,300 mg per day, and the label is based on one serving.
• Old El Paso's ingredient list includes maltodextrin, vegetable oil, and silicon dioxide. McCormick's list names none of them.

Which has more sodium, Old El Paso or McCormick taco seasoning?

McCormick Original has more sodium per labeled serving: 380 mg in 1.5 tsp, compared with 280 mg in 2 tsp for Old El Paso Original. The two Nutrition Facts panels are otherwise similar on several lines, with 15 calories and 0 g total fat per serving for each product.

Sodium is reported per serving, and the FDA's Sodium in Your Diet page notes that the label is based on one serving. A higher number per serving does not by itself tell you how much sodium ends up in a finished packet, because the serving size and the number of servings per container also matter. The per-packet comparison below accounts for both.

Which taco seasoning has the least sodium?

Of these two Original packets, Old El Paso has less sodium on both measures: 280 mg per labeled serving versus 380 mg, and about 1,400 mg per whole 1 oz packet versus about 2,280 mg. That is a statement about the sodium numbers on the labels only. It does not account for how either seasoning is used in a recipe.

How much sodium is in a 1 oz packet of Old El Paso vs McCormick taco seasoning?

Label math puts a whole 1 oz Old El Paso packet at about 1,400 mg of sodium (5 servings at 280 mg each). A whole McCormick packet works out to about 2,280 mg (about 6 servings at 380 mg each). The McCormick figure is approximate because its panel says about 6 servings per container, so the exact count may vary. The Old El Paso panel lists exactly 5 servings.

How much sodium is in a packet of taco seasoning?

For these two Original packets, the figures are about 1,400 mg for Old El Paso and about 2,280 mg for McCormick, based on each label's serving count. Other taco seasoning packets differ in size and formula, so these numbers do not apply to them.

Packet totals are not the sodium in a finished meal. The FDA lists the Daily Value for sodium as less than 2,300 mg per day. The McCormick total is close to that reference on its own, while the Old El Paso total is lower. Sodium in prepared taco meat depends on the recipe, including any added salt, broth, cheese, and toppings. That figure is not disclosed for either product, so this article does not estimate it.

What are the serving sizes on the Old El Paso and McCormick taco seasoning labels?

Old El Paso lists a 2 tsp serving, and the McCormick Nutrition Facts panel lists 1.5 tsp. mix (4.5g), which it says seasons 2 tacos. The two serving sizes are measured differently, so comparing the sodium lines requires looking at both.

• Old El Paso Original: serving size 2 tsp, 5 servings per container. The gram weight of the 2 tsp serving is not disclosed on the brand page.
• McCormick Original: serving size 1.5 tsp. mix (4.5g), about 6 servings per container, seasons 2 tacos per the panel.

The McCormick product page contains a discrepancy. Its image alt text describes a '2 tsp serving (4.5g)', while the Nutrition Facts panel image says 1.5 tsp. This article uses the panel. Teaspoons measure volume, so the same teaspoon may not weigh the same across products. Check the panel on the package you buy.

Old El Paso vs McCormick taco seasoning: how do the ingredient lists differ?

Old El Paso's list includes maltodextrin, vegetable oil, and silicon dioxide, while McCormick's list includes none of these three. The lists are shown below as printed on the Old El Paso product page and the McCormick product page.

• Old El Paso: 'Corn Starch, Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Spice, Onion Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Vegetable Oil (canola, and/or high oleic soybean oil) Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.'
• McCormick: 'Spices (Including Chili Pepper, Paprika, Oregano), Corn Starch, Salt, Onion, and Garlic.'

Maltodextrin is a starch-derived carbohydrate that manufacturers commonly use as a bulking agent or carrier. The Old El Paso label identifies silicon dioxide as an anticaking agent and lists its vegetable oil as canola and/or high oleic soybean oil. Old El Paso's list also names natural flavor, which falls in the 'Contains 2% or less of' group. McCormick groups its spices together and names only chili pepper, paprika, and oregano within that group.

On allergens, the Old El Paso page states 'Does Not Contain Declaration Obligatory Allergens.' An allergen statement for McCormick Original was not disclosed in the information behind this article.

Old El Paso vs McCormick Original taco seasoning: side-by-side nutrition table

The table lists the labeled values for one serving of each Original packet, using each product's own serving size.

Nutrient	Old El Paso Original (per 2 tsp)	McCormick Original (per 1.5 tsp, 4.5g)
Servings per container	5	About 6
Calories	15	15
Total fat	0g (0% DV)	0g (0% DV)
Sodium	280mg (12% DV)	380mg (17% DV)
Total carbohydrate	3g (1% DV)	3g (1% DV)
Total sugars	0g	Not a significant source
Protein	0g	0g
Iron	0.4mg (2% DV)	0.4mg (2% DV)
Calcium	0mg	Not a significant source
Potassium	0mg	Not a significant source

Both panels list 0g of protein and 0.4 mg of iron per serving. The McCormick panel describes saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, dietary fiber, total sugars, added sugars, vitamin D, calcium, and potassium as not a significant source. The Old El Paso panel lists 0 for those items.

Is Old El Paso or McCormick taco seasoning better for low-sodium eating?

Neither label makes a low-sodium claim; they show Old El Paso Original with the lower sodium figure per labeled serving and per packet, and McCormick Original with the higher one. The label facts used here do not include a low-sodium claim for either Original packet.

Under FDA guidance, 5% DV or less per serving is considered low and 20% DV or more is considered high. Old El Paso's 12% DV and McCormick's 17% DV both fall between those two thresholds. Sodium-reduced versions are separate products with their own labels, and this comparison does not cover them.

How do you compare sodium on any taco seasoning label?

Compare the sodium in milligrams per serving, the serving size, and the number of servings per container. Then multiply to estimate the per-packet total. Use these checks on any label:

• Match the sodium line to its serving size, whether in tsp. or grams.
• Note the servings per container. The word 'about' means the count may vary.
• Check the % DV. Under FDA guidance, 5% DV or less per serving is low and 20% DV or more is high.
• Prefer gram weights when the label gives them, since teaspoons measure volume.
• Read the ingredient list in order. Items after 'Contains 2% or less of' make up a small share of the product.
• Look for any printed allergen statement on the package you buy.

Related label-reading guides for comparing packaged foods

These guides apply the same label-reading steps to other packaged foods. For sodium and iron on breakfast cereal labels, see Is Cream of Wheat Healthier Than Malt-O-Meal? Sodium vs Iron. For fiber and sodium on bagel labels, see Is Dave's Bagel Healthier Than Thomas'? Fiber vs Sodium.