Is Baked Chewy Bars Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Enjoy Life
Baked Chewy Bars is a snack from Enjoy Life. It has a Zerotox safety score of 70/100, which means it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The main ingredients worth reviewing are Natural Flavor.
70 / 100
Why score is 70
The composition includes several processed ingredients like tapioca syrup and vegetable glycerin, which raise quality concerns. However, it also contains whole food components like ground flaxseed and quinoa flakes, contributing positively to the overall rating.
Main concern
Tapioca syrup and vegetable glycerin are processed sweeteners that may raise concerns about added sugars.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Contains whole food ingredients like ground flaxseed and quinoa flakes, which provide fiber and nutrients.
- Includes sweetened cranberries and strawberries, adding fruit content and flavor.
- Uses expeller pressed vegetable oil, which is a cleaner option compared to refined oils.
- Incorporates vitamins and minerals, enhancing the nutritional profile.
Concerns
- Tapioca syrup and vegetable glycerin are processed sweeteners that may raise concerns about added sugars.
- Presence of brown cane sugar and dried cane syrup indicates multiple sources of sugar, which can be excessive.
- Natural flavor and xanthan gum are included, which may not be well understood by all consumers.
- Sweetened fruits contain added cane sugar, which can contribute to overall sugar content.
Ingredients breakdown
Each ingredient below is explained in the context of this snack so the page answers more than a simple label list.
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Is Tapioca Syrup safe in this snack?
Medium
Tapioca Syrup is used here as sweetener. Tapioca syrup is a processed sweetener derived from cassava. It adds sweetness but raises concerns due to its high sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Tapioca syrup
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Is Vegetable Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Glycerin is used here as sweetener. Vegetable glycerin is a humectant and sweetener that helps retain moisture. While it is derived from plant sources, its processing raises some quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: vegetable glycerin
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Is Rice Crisps safe in this snack?
Medium
Rice Crisps is used here as base. Rice crisps are made from rice flour and bran, providing a crunchy texture. However, they are processed and may lack nutritional density.
Role in formula: base
Original: rice crisps (rice flour, rice bran, raisin juice concentrate, honey, salt)
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Is Flour Mix safe in this snack?
Medium
Flour Mix is used here as base. The flour mix includes rice, buckwheat, and millet, offering a gluten-free option. However, the processing of these flours may reduce some nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: base
Original: flour mix (rice, buckwheat, millet)
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Is Brown Cane Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Brown Cane Sugar is used here as sweetener. Brown cane sugar is a less refined sugar that retains some molasses. It adds sweetness but contributes to overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: brown cane sugar
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Is Dried Cane Syrup safe in this snack?
Medium
Dried Cane Syrup is used here as sweetener. Dried cane syrup is a concentrated sugar source that adds sweetness. Its presence raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: dried cane syrup
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Is Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil safe in this snack?
Good
Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil is used here as base. Expeller pressed vegetable oil is a cleaner extraction method that avoids chemical solvents. It is a better choice compared to refined oils.
Role in formula: base
Original: expeller pressed vegetable oil (safflower oil and/or sunflower oil)
Read the full ingredient profile for Expeller Pressed Vegetable Oil
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Is Date Paste safe in this snack?
Good
Date Paste is used here as sweetener. Date paste is a natural sweetener that provides fiber and nutrients. It is a healthier alternative to refined sugars.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: date paste
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Is Rice Starch safe in this snack?
Medium
Rice Starch is used here as thickener. Rice starch is used as a thickening agent. While it is derived from rice, its processing may limit its nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: rice starch
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Is Sweetened Cranberries safe in this snack?
Medium
Sweetened Cranberries is used here as sweetener. Sweetened cranberries contain added cane sugar, which increases the overall sugar content of the product despite their fruit benefits.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sweetened cranberries* (cranberries, cane sugar, sunflower oil)
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Is Ground Flaxseed safe in this snack?
Good
Ground Flaxseed is used here as base. Ground flaxseed is a source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, contributing positively to the nutritional profile of the bars.
Role in formula: base
Original: ground flaxseed
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Is Sunflower Seed Butter safe in this snack?
Good
Sunflower Seed Butter is used here as base. Sunflower seed butter provides healthy fats and protein. It is a nutritious alternative to nut butters for those with allergies.
Role in formula: base
Original: sunflower seed butter (roasted sunflower kernel, dried cane syrup, salt)
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Is Quinoa Flakes safe in this snack?
Good
Quinoa Flakes is used here as base. Quinoa flakes are a nutritious grain source, providing protein and fiber. They enhance the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: base
Original: quinoa flakes
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Is Puffed Amaranth safe in this snack?
Good
Puffed Amaranth is used here as base. Puffed amaranth is a whole grain that adds texture and nutritional value, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: base
Original: puffed amaranth
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Is Sweetened Strawberries safe in this snack?
Medium
Sweetened Strawberries is used here as sweetener. Sweetened strawberries contain added cane sugar, which increases the sugar content despite their fruit benefits.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: sweetened strawberries* (strawberries, cane sugar, citric acid, sunflower oil, rice flour)
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Bad
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is a vague term that can encompass various substances. Its inclusion raises questions about the specific components used.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural flavor
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Is Leavening safe in this snack?
Medium
Leavening is used here as other. Leavening agents like baking soda help the bars rise. While necessary for texture, they do not contribute nutritional value.
Role in formula: other
Original: leavening (baking soda)
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Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent that improves texture. While generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
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Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as base. Salt is used for flavor enhancement. In moderation, it is a necessary ingredient for taste.
Role in formula: base
Original: salt
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Is Vanilla Extract safe in this snack?
Good
Vanilla Extract is used here as flavor. Vanilla extract adds natural flavor to the bars. It is derived from vanilla beans, contributing positively to the flavor profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: vanilla extract
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Is Malic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Malic Acid is used here as acidulant. Malic acid is a natural flavor enhancer that adds tartness. While it is derived from fruits, its processing raises some concerns.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: malic acid (natural flavor enhancer)
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Is Vitamins And Minerals safe in this snack?
Good
Vitamins And Minerals is used here as other. Vitamins and minerals like niacin and calcium are added to enhance nutritional value, contributing positively to the overall composition.
Role in formula: other
Original: vitamins and minerals (niacin, riboflavin, vitamin b6, thiamin, calcium)
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 3479198
More from this brand: Enjoy Life products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.