Dole Pineapple Chunks in 100% Pineapple Juice: Labelgrade B- (72/100)
B- 72 / 100 — Very low saturated fat, notable sugar load, and very low sodium.
🛒 Buy on Amazon →The short answer
Dole Packaged Foods Llc Pineapple Chunks In 100% Pineapple Juice delivers 1g of protein and 59.8 calories per 0.50 cup (USDA FDC 2671938). Per 100g that’s 0.8g of protein; per oz, 0.2g. The Labelgrade is B- (72 / 100): Very low saturated fat, notable sugar load, and very low sodium.
Why this Labelgrade
| Dimension | Grade | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein density | D | 51 / 100 | 0.8g per 100g — below the high-protein bar; not the right product for protein hunting |
| Ingredient quality | B+ | 83 / 100 | Short 4-ingredient list, no additive flags |
| Saturated fat load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0g saturated fat — perfect |
| Sodium load | A+ | 100 / 100 | 0mg sodium — perfect |
| Sugar load | D | 40 / 100 | 15g sugar; USDA omits the added-sugar line, but the ingredients list a sweetener — scored as added, not naturally-occurring |
| Fiber | F | 36 / 100 | 0.976g per serving — modest fiber contribution |
| Overall | B- | 72 / 100 | Weighted blend: protein 25% · ingredients 22% · saturated fat 18% · sodium 15% · sugar 12% · fiber 8% |
How it compares
| Product | Protein per serving | Per 100 g | Per oz | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dole Packaged Foods Llc Pineapple Chunks In 100% Pineapple Juice (this product) | 1g | 0.8g | 0.2g | 59.8 |
| Dole Mandarin Oranges In 100% Fruit Juice | 1g | 0.8g | 0.2g | 90.3 |
| Del Monte Foods Inc. Del Monte, Sliced Peaches In Heavy Syrup | 0g | 0g | 0g | 99.8 |
| Del Monte Fruit Cocktail In Extra Light Syrup, Lite | 0g | 0g | 0g | 59.5 |
| Plain cooked chicken breast (benchmark) | — | 31g | 8.8g | ~165 |
”In 100% juice” is the label that earns the grade
Look at the ingredient line: pineapple, pineapple juice, and clarified pineapple juice from concentrate. That’s it — no syrup, no added sugar, no sodium. This is the format nutritionists point to when they say canned fruit can be as good as fresh, and it’s why this can scores at the top of the canned-fruit group despite being one of the sweeter fruits in the aisle.
The contrast with syrup packs is stark. A heavy-syrup fruit can adds sugar on top of the fruit’s own, so the same serving size carries more calories for the same nutrition. Here, every one of the 15g of sugar comes from the pineapple. You’re paying for fruit, not sweetened water. When you’re scanning a shelf, “in 100% juice” (or “in its own juice”) is the single phrase that separates the better cans from the dessert-grade ones — and Dole puts it right on the front.
Why naturally-sweet fruit still can’t reach an A
It’s tempting to assume a no-added-sugar, no-sodium fruit should ace the scorecard. It doesn’t, and the reason is honest: pineapple is naturally carbohydrate- and sugar-dense, and like all fruit it carries essentially no protein. Those two facts cap fruit at B- in our scoring no matter how cleanly it’s packed.
That’s not a reason to avoid it — fruit is supposed to taste like fruit, and the vitamin C, manganese, and fiber are real. It’s a reason to file canned pineapple under “good fruit,” not under “high-protein snack.” If you’re building a meal around protein, this is the side, not the centerpiece. And if you’re watching total carbs, remember that the natural-vs-added distinction doesn’t change how the 16g of carbohydrate behaves once you eat it — portion it the way you’d portion any sweet fruit.
Scope
This page covers Dole Packaged Foods Llc Pineapple Chunks In 100% Pineapple Juice (20 oz/567 g), UPC 038900004736, as represented in USDA Branded Foods FDC 2671938. Dole Packaged Foods Llc sells multiple variants in this product line — other sizes, flavors, or fat levels may have different macros and Labelgrade scores. Manufacturers periodically reformulate; always cross-reference the actual package label, especially if you have allergies or dietary restrictions.
Ingredients (from the USDA Branded Foods entry)
PINEAPPLE, PINEAPPLE JUICE, AND CLARIFIED PINEAPPLE JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE (WATER, CLARIFIED PINEAPPLE JUICE CONCENTRATE).
Where to buy
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Labelgrade score is independent of affiliate relationships. More.
🔬 Compare this product side-by-side with any other →
Quick Facts
Per serving · 0.50 cup
See how this fits your day — protein calculator · macro calculator
Full nutrition facts
| Nutrient | Per Serving (0.50 cup) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 59.8 |
| Protein | 1g |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Saturated Fat | 0g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.976g |
| Total Sugars | 15g |
| Sodium | 0mg |
| Cholesterol | 0mg |
| Calcium | 0mg |
| Iron | 0.366mg |
| Potassium | 150mg |
Scope: This page applies specifically to Pineapple Chunks In 100% Pineapple Juice (20 oz/567 g) · UPC 038900004736. Other sizes, flavors, or formulations may differ.
How this fits each diet
Each score is computed from the same USDA nutrition + ingredient data, against the published rules of each diet. They tell you "does this food fit this diet" — not whether the diet is right for you.
contains no listed animal products
contains no listed meat or fish
no wheat, barley, rye, or malt detected in USDA ingredient list
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canned pineapple healthy?
Yes — and this is about the best version you can buy. Canned pineapple keeps most of fresh pineapple's vitamin C and fiber, and this Dole pack is in 100% pineapple juice with no syrup and no added sugar. The only ingredients are pineapple and pineapple juice. It's genuinely close to eating fresh fruit.
Why does this product score B- (72/100)?
It nails everything a packing liquid can control: no added sugar, 0mg sodium, no saturated fat. What holds it to B- rather than an A is the fruit itself — pineapple is naturally sugar-heavy (15g per 1/2 cup) and brings no protein. That's a ceiling fresh pineapple shares too; it isn't a knock on Dole.
Is the 15g of natural sugar in pineapple juice a problem?
It's worth understanding, not fearing. All 15g are the pineapple's own sugars — nothing added — so this is exactly what you'd get eating fresh pineapple. That said, sugar is sugar to your body whether it's natural or added, and pineapple is one of the sweeter fruits. It's a healthy whole food, but if you're counting carbs, a 1/2-cup serving still lands 16g of them. Portion it like fruit, not like a free food.
How big is a serving, and should I drain it?
A serving is 1/2 cup (122g). Draining is optional here in a way it isn't for syrup packs: the liquid is just pineapple juice, so draining mostly removes calories and natural sugar rather than added sugar. Drain if you're cutting sugar; keep a splash of the juice if you want the flavor and don't mind the extra few grams.
Is there a better canned-fruit pick?
For pineapple specifically, this is already the gold-standard format — 100% juice, no syrup, no additives. The only way to go lower on sugar is fruit canned in water (rarer for pineapple) or simply eating a smaller portion. Whatever you do, choose 'in juice' over any 'in syrup' label.
When was this data last verified?
2026-06-05, against USDA FoodData Central FDC 2671938. We re-verify top-traffic pages monthly and update within 7 days when a manufacturer reformulates.