Is Simply Balanced Organic Granola Berry Blend Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Simply Balanced
This page reviews Simply Balanced Organic Granola Berry Blend by Simply Balanced as a snack. Its current score is 75/100, suggesting that it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
If you want the short version, start with these flagged ingredients: Natural Flavor.
75 / 100
Why score is 75
This granola contains organic whole rolled oats and freeze-dried fruits, indicating a focus on natural ingredients. However, the presence of organic milled cane sugar and natural flavor raises some concerns about processing and added sugars.
Main concern
Organic milled cane sugar is present, which may contribute to higher sugar content.
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 organic whole rolled oats, providing a good source of whole grains.
- Includes freeze-dried blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, enhancing fruit content.
- Natural tocopherols are included to maintain freshness, indicating a focus on quality.
- Organic ingredients suggest a commitment to avoiding synthetic pesticides.
Concerns
- Organic milled cane sugar is present, which may contribute to higher sugar content.
- Natural flavor is included, which can be a vague term and may indicate processing.
- Organic cornstarch is a processed ingredient that raises concerns about quality.
- The inclusion of organic barley malt syrup adds additional sugars, impacting overall healthiness.
Ingredients breakdown
The ingredient notes below are written to explain what each ingredient does in this snack and why it matters.
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Is Organic Whole Rolled Oats safe in this snack?
Good
Organic Whole Rolled Oats is used here as base. Organic whole rolled oats serve as the primary ingredient, providing fiber and essential nutrients. Their whole grain nature supports digestive health.
Role in formula: base
Original: Organic whole rolled oats
Read the full ingredient profile for Organic Whole Rolled Oats
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Is Organic Milled Cane Sugar safe in this snack?
Medium
Organic Milled Cane Sugar is used here as sweetener. Organic milled cane sugar is used for sweetness but is a processed form of sugar, raising concerns about added sugars in the diet.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Organic milled cane sugar
Read the full ingredient profile for Organic Milled Cane Sugar
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Is Organic Expeller Pressed Canola Oil safe in this snack?
Medium
Organic Expeller Pressed Canola Oil is used here as base. This oil is used for texture and moisture but is a refined oil, which may not provide the same health benefits as less processed oils.
Role in formula: base
Original: Organic expeller pressed canola oil
Read the full ingredient profile for Organic Expeller Pressed Canola Oil
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Is Organic Rice Flour safe in this snack?
Medium
Organic Rice Flour is used here as base. Organic rice flour is a gluten-free ingredient that adds texture but is a refined carbohydrate, which may not offer significant nutritional benefits.
Role in formula: base
Original: Organic rice flour
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Is Organic Cornstarch safe in this snack?
Medium
Organic Cornstarch is used here as thickener. Organic cornstarch is used as a thickening agent, but it is a processed ingredient that may not contribute to overall health.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: Organic cornstarch
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Is Organic Molasses safe in this snack?
Good
Organic Molasses is used here as sweetener. Organic molasses adds sweetness and contains some minerals, providing a more nutrient-dense option compared to refined sugars.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Organic molasses
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Is Organic Honey safe in this snack?
Good
Organic Honey is used here as sweetener. Organic honey is a natural sweetener that offers some antioxidants and may have health benefits, though it is still a sugar.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Organic honey
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Is Organic Freeze Dried Blueberries safe in this snack?
Good
Organic Freeze Dried Blueberries is used here as flavor. These blueberries provide natural sweetness and antioxidants, enhancing the nutritional profile of the granola.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Organic freeze dried blueberries
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Is Salt safe in this snack?
Good
Salt is used here as flavor. Salt is used to enhance flavor, and in moderation, it is essential for taste without significant health concerns.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Salt
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Is Natural Flavor safe in this snack?
Bad
Natural Flavor is used here as flavor. Natural flavor can be vague and may include various additives, raising concerns about transparency in ingredient sourcing.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Natural flavor
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Is Organic Freeze Dried Strawberries safe in this snack?
Good
Organic Freeze Dried Strawberries is used here as flavor. These strawberries add natural sweetness and flavor, contributing to the overall fruit content of the granola.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Organic freeze dried strawberries
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Is Organic Barley Malt Syrup safe in this snack?
Medium
Organic Barley Malt Syrup is used here as sweetener. This syrup adds sweetness and flavor but is another source of sugar, which can contribute to overall sugar intake.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Organic barley malt syrup
Read the full ingredient profile for Organic Barley Malt Syrup
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Is Organic Freeze Dried Raspberries safe in this snack?
Good
Organic Freeze Dried Raspberries is used here as flavor. These raspberries provide additional fruit flavor and nutrients, enhancing the product's overall health profile.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: Organic freeze dried raspberries
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Is Mixed Tocopherols safe in this snack?
Good
Mixed Tocopherols is used here as antioxidant. Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to maintain freshness, indicating a focus on product quality and shelf life.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: Mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin e to maintain freshness)
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: 3335101
More from this brand: Simply Balanced 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.