Is Chewy Granola Bars (S'mores) Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Nature Valley
This page reviews Chewy Granola Bars (S'mores) by Nature Valley as a snack. Its current score is 60/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Maltodextrin.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several processed ingredients such as sugar, corn syrup, and maltodextrin, which raise quality concerns. The presence of milk chocolate and white chocolate chunks indicates high sugar content, while soy lecithin and vegetable glycerin are processed additives that may not align with clean eating preferences.
Main concern
High sugar content from multiple sources like sugar, corn syrup, and invert sugar raises health concerns.
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 grain oats, providing a source of fiber and whole grains.
- Includes honey, a natural sweetener that may offer some flavor depth.
- Brown rice flour adds a gluten-free component to the recipe.
- Natural flavor enhances the overall taste without synthetic additives.
Concerns
- High sugar content from multiple sources like sugar, corn syrup, and invert sugar raises health concerns.
- Presence of processed ingredients like maltodextrin and vegetable glycerin indicates lower quality.
- Milk chocolate and white chocolate chunks contribute to the overall sweetness and calorie density.
- Soy lecithin, while common, is a processed emulsifier that may not appeal to all consumers.
Who should avoid this product?
You may want to be cautious with this product if you are:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- people avoiding animal-derived ingredients
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this snack and why it matters.
-
Is Whole Grain Oats safe in this snack?
Good
Whole Grain Oats is used here as base. Whole grain oats serve as the primary ingredient, providing dietary fiber and essential nutrients. Their inclusion supports a healthier snack option, contributing to satiety and energy.
Role in formula: base
Original: Whole Grain Oats
-
Is Chicory Root Extract safe in this snack?
Good
Chicory Root Extract is used here as natural_extract. Chicory root extract is often used for its prebiotic properties, potentially aiding digestive health. Its presence adds a natural component to the formulation.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: Chicory Root Extract
-
Is Milk Chocolate safe in this snack?
Medium
Milk Chocolate is used here as flavor. Milk chocolate adds sweetness and flavor but is high in sugar and calories. Its inclusion raises concerns about the overall healthiness of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Milk Chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, milk ingredients, soy lecithin, salt, vanilla extract)
-
Is Brown Rice Flour safe in this snack?
Good
Brown Rice Flour is used here as base. Brown rice flour is a gluten-free alternative that contributes to the texture of the bars. It provides some nutritional benefits while catering to gluten-sensitive consumers.
Role in formula: base
Original: Brown Rice Flour
-
Is Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Sugar is used here as sweetener. Sugar is a common sweetener that significantly increases the calorie content of the bars. Its high presence raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sugar
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener that contributes to the overall sugar content. Its use raises concerns about health implications associated with high-fructose corn syrup.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Corn Syrup
-
Is White Chocolate Chunks safe in this snack?
Medium
White Chocolate Chunks is used here as flavor. White chocolate chunks add sweetness and creaminess but are also high in sugar and calories. Their presence further contributes to the overall sugar content of the product.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: White Chocolate Chunks (sugar, cocoa butter, milk ingredients, soy lecithin, vanilla extract)
-
Is Vegetable Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Glycerin is used here as stabilizer. Vegetable glycerin is used to retain moisture and improve texture. While it is derived from plant sources, it is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean eating preferences.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Vegetable Glycerin
-
Is Canola Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Canola Oil is used here as emulsifier. Canola oil is a common cooking oil that helps with texture and moisture retention. However, it is a refined oil, which raises some concerns about processing.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Canola Oil
-
Is Enriched Wheat Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Enriched Wheat Flour is used here as base. Enriched wheat flour is a refined flour that has been fortified with vitamins. Its presence indicates a processed component that may not provide the same benefits as whole grains.
Role in formula: base
Original: Enriched Wheat Flour
-
Is Maltodextrin safe in this snack?
Bad
Maltodextrin is used here as thickener. Maltodextrin is a processed carbohydrate used as a thickener and filler. Its high glycemic index raises concerns about blood sugar spikes.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Maltodextrin
-
Is Soy Lecithin safe in this snack?
Medium
Soy Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients. While it is derived from soy, it is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: Soy Lecithin
-
Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Medium
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor is used to enhance taste but can be vague in terms of composition. Its presence raises questions about the specific sources of flavoring.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural Flavor
-
Is Graham Flour safe in this snack?
Good
Graham Flour is used here as base. Graham flour adds a distinct flavor and texture to the bars. It is a whole grain flour that contributes to the overall nutritional profile.
Role in formula: base
Original: Graham Flour
-
Is Invert Sugar safe in this snack?
Bad
Invert Sugar is used here as sweetener. Invert sugar is a processed sweetener that can lead to higher sugar content. Its use raises concerns about excessive sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Invert Sugar
-
Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt enhances flavor and balances sweetness in the bars. While it is necessary in moderation, excessive salt can raise health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
-
Is Molasses safe in this snack?
Medium
Molasses is used here as sweetener. Molasses adds sweetness and a distinct flavor profile. While it contains some nutrients, it is still a sugar source that contributes to overall sugar content.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Molasses
-
Is Baking Soda safe in this snack?
Good
Baking Soda is used here as leavening_agent. Baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the bars rise. It is a common ingredient in baked goods and poses no significant health concerns.
Role in formula: leavening_agent
Original: Baking Soda
-
Is Calcium Carbonate safe in this snack?
Medium
Calcium Carbonate is used here as fortifier. Calcium carbonate is used as a fortifying agent to enhance calcium content. While beneficial, it is a processed ingredient that may not appeal to all consumers.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: Calcium Carbonate
-
Is Honey safe in this snack?
Good
Honey is used here as sweetener. Honey is a natural sweetener that adds flavor and moisture. Its inclusion supports a more natural composition compared to refined sugars.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Honey
-
Is Baking Powder safe in this snack?
Medium
Baking Powder is used here as leavening_agent. Baking powder is a leavening agent that helps the bars rise. While it is common in baking, it is a processed ingredient that may not align with clean eating preferences.
Role in formula: leavening_agent
Original: Baking Powder
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: 2380303
More from this brand: Nature Valley products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , soy , wheat
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.