Is Low Fat Fruit & Grain Cereal Bar Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Eating Right
This page reviews Low Fat Fruit & Grain Cereal Bar by Eating Right as a snack. Its current score is 30/100, suggesting that it has several flagged ingredients and may not suit cautious buyers.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup, Modified Corn Starch.
30 / 100
Why score is 30
The composition includes high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, indicating a highly processed product. The presence of multiple synthetic additives raises significant quality concerns.
Main concern
High fructose corn syrup is a synthetic sweetener linked to various health concerns, indicating poor quality.
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 rolled oats, providing some dietary fiber and nutrients.
- Includes vitamins such as niacinamide and cyanocobalamin, which can contribute to daily nutritional needs.
Concerns
- High fructose corn syrup is a synthetic sweetener linked to various health concerns, indicating poor quality.
- Artificial flavors and colors like Red 40 and Blue 2 raise safety concerns due to their synthetic nature.
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 High Fructose Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
High Fructose Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. High fructose corn syrup is a highly processed sweetener used for its low cost and sweetness. Its consumption is linked to various health issues, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: high fructose corn syrup
Read the full ingredient profile for High Fructose Corn Syrup
-
Is Corn Syrup safe in this snack?
Bad
Corn Syrup is used here as sweetener. Corn syrup is a sweetener derived from corn starch, often used in processed foods. It is high in sugars and contributes to the product's overall unhealthy profile.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: corn syrup
-
Is Strawberry Puree Concentrate safe in this snack?
Medium
Strawberry Puree Concentrate is used here as flavor. Strawberry puree concentrate adds flavor and some nutritional value, but its processing may reduce the quality of the fruit content.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: strawberry puree concentrate
Read the full ingredient profile for Strawberry Puree Concentrate
-
Is Sodium Alginate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sodium Alginate is used here as thickener. Sodium alginate is a thickening agent derived from seaweed, used to improve texture. While generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: sodium alginate
-
Is Modified Corn Starch safe in this snack?
Bad
Modified Corn Starch is used here as thickener. Modified corn starch is a processed ingredient used for thickening and stabilizing. Its modification process raises concerns about its natural quality.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: modified corn starch
-
Is Methylcellulose safe in this snack?
Bad
Methylcellulose is used here as thickener. Methylcellulose is a synthetic thickener derived from cellulose. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality of the product.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: methylcellulose
-
Is Glycerin safe in this snack?
Medium
Glycerin is used here as sweetener. Glycerin is a sweetener and humectant that helps retain moisture. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may not contribute positively to quality.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: glycerin
-
Is Xanthan Gum safe in this snack?
Medium
Xanthan Gum is used here as thickener. Xanthan gum is a thickening agent produced by fermentation. It is generally safe but is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: xanthan gum
-
Is Artificial Flavors safe in this snack?
Bad
Artificial Flavors is used here as flavor. Artificial flavors are synthetic compounds used to enhance taste. Their presence indicates a lack of natural flavoring, raising quality concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: natural and artificial flavors
-
Is Red 40 safe in this snack?
Bad
Red 40 is used here as colorant. Red 40 is a synthetic dye used for coloring. Its use raises safety concerns due to potential allergic reactions and other health issues.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: red 40
-
Is Blue 2 safe in this snack?
Bad
Blue 2 is used here as colorant. Blue 2 is a synthetic colorant that may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Its presence indicates a reliance on artificial additives.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: blue 2
-
Is Vegetable Oil Blend safe in this snack?
Medium
Vegetable Oil Blend is used here as base. The vegetable oil blend includes canola and palm oils, which are often refined. While they provide texture, their processing raises quality concerns.
Role in formula: base
Original: vegetable oil blend (canola, palm and palm kernel oils, tbhq to maintain freshness)
-
Is Tbhq safe in this snack?
Bad
Tbhq is used here as preservative. TBHQ is a synthetic antioxidant used to prolong shelf life. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality and safety of the product.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: tbhq to maintain freshness
-
Is Nonfat Dry Milk safe in this snack?
Medium
Nonfat Dry Milk is used here as base. Nonfat dry milk is a dairy product used for texture and flavor. While it adds some nutritional value, it is processed and may not be suitable for all diets.
Role in formula: base
Original: nonfat dry milk
-
Is Calcium Carbonate safe in this snack?
Medium
Calcium Carbonate is used here as fortifier. Calcium carbonate is used as a calcium source and to improve texture. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may not contribute positively to quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: calcium carbonate
-
Is Soluble Corn Fiber safe in this snack?
Medium
Soluble Corn Fiber is used here as fiber. Soluble corn fiber is a processed fiber that can aid digestion. However, its processing raises concerns about its natural quality.
Role in formula: fiber
Original: soluble corn fiber
-
Is Honey safe in this snack?
Good
Honey is used here as sweetener. Honey is a natural sweetener that provides some nutrients and antioxidants. Its presence adds a positive aspect to the product's composition.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: honey
-
Is Wheat Bran safe in this snack?
Good
Wheat Bran is used here as fiber. Wheat bran is a natural source of dietary fiber, contributing to digestive health. Its inclusion supports the product's nutritional profile.
Role in formula: fiber
Original: wheat bran
-
Is Sorbitan Monostearate safe in this snack?
Medium
Sorbitan Monostearate is used here as emulsifier. Sorbitan monostearate is an emulsifier that helps blend ingredients. While it is generally safe, it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: sorbitan monostearate
-
Is Potassium Bicarbonate safe in this snack?
Medium
Potassium Bicarbonate is used here as leavening. Potassium bicarbonate is a leavening agent used to help the product rise. It is generally safe but is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: leavening
Original: potassium bicarbonate
-
Is Wheat Gluten safe in this snack?
Medium
Wheat Gluten is used here as base. Wheat gluten is a protein that provides structure. While it adds texture, it is a processed ingredient that may not be suitable for all diets.
Role in formula: base
Original: wheat gluten
-
Is Vitamin A Palmitate safe in this snack?
Medium
Vitamin A Palmitate is used here as fortifier. Vitamin A palmitate is a synthetic form of vitamin A used to fortify foods. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: vitamin a palmitate
-
Is Niacinamide safe in this snack?
Medium
Niacinamide is used here as fortifier. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 used for fortification. While it adds nutritional value, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: niacinamide
-
Is Pyridoxine Hydrochloride safe in this snack?
Medium
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride is used here as fortifier. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a synthetic form of vitamin B6 used for fortification. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: pyridoxine hydrochloride
Read the full ingredient profile for Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
-
Is Reduced Iron safe in this snack?
Medium
Reduced Iron is used here as fortifier. Reduced iron is used to fortify foods with iron. While it adds nutritional value, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: reduced iron
-
Is Dicalcium Phosphate safe in this snack?
Medium
Dicalcium Phosphate is used here as fortifier. Dicalcium phosphate is a calcium and phosphorus source used for fortification. Its processing raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: dicalcium phosphate
-
Is Zinc Oxide safe in this snack?
Medium
Zinc Oxide is used here as fortifier. Zinc oxide is used to fortify foods with zinc. While it adds nutritional value, it is a processed ingredient.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: zinc oxide
-
Is Riboflavin safe in this snack?
Medium
Riboflavin is used here as fortifier. Riboflavin is a form of vitamin B2 used for fortification. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: riboflavin
-
Is Thiamin Hydrochloride safe in this snack?
Medium
Thiamin Hydrochloride is used here as fortifier. Thiamin hydrochloride is a synthetic form of vitamin B1 used for fortification. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: thiamin hydrochloride
-
Is Folic Acid safe in this snack?
Medium
Folic Acid is used here as fortifier. Folic acid is a synthetic form of vitamin B9 used for fortification. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: folic acid
-
Is Cyanocobalamin safe in this snack?
Medium
Cyanocobalamin is used here as fortifier. Cyanocobalamin is a synthetic form of vitamin B12 used for fortification. Its synthetic nature raises concerns about the overall quality.
Role in formula: fortifier
Original: cyanocobalamin
-
Is Soy Lecithin safe in this snack?
Medium
Soy Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Soy lecithin is an emulsifier derived from soybeans. While it helps blend ingredients, it is a processed ingredient that may raise quality concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: soy lecithin
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: 3324601
More from this brand: Eating Right products in Zerotox
Similar products: snack in Zerotox database
Allergens detected: milk , wheat , soy
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.