Is Clif Bars Ultra Processed?
Yes — Ultra-Processed
Clif bars are Level 3-4 — highly to ultra-processed. Despite the outdoorsy, wholesome branding featuring a rock climber, Clif bars contain brown rice syrup, soy protein isolate, and 20+ ingredients including several industrial additives.
Key Findings
- •Brown rice syrup (the first ingredient) has a higher glycemic index than table sugar and is produced through enzymatic starch-to-sugar conversion
- •Soy protein isolate is extracted from soybeans using hexane solvent and acid washing, making it one of the most industrially processed protein sources
- •Trail mix or an RXBAR (5-7 ingredients) provides similar energy for outdoor activities at a fraction of the processing level
Why Is Clif Bars Ultra-Processed?
Clif Bar's marketing evokes images of outdoor adventure and natural energy, but the ingredient list reveals a different reality. Brown rice syrup — the first ingredient in many varieties — is a highly refined sweetener with a glycemic index higher than table sugar. It is produced by treating cooked rice with enzymes (often from barley malt) to break starches into sugars, then concentrating the resulting syrup. Soy protein isolate, the primary protein source, is extracted from soybeans using hexane solvent and acid washing — an industrial process far removed from whole soybeans. Additional ingredients include organic cane syrup, organic soy butter, rice flour, organic oat fiber, and various flavoring and binding agents. The total ingredient count typically exceeds 20. The word "organic" appears frequently but organic ingredients can still be ultra-processed.
Clif Bars Processing Level Distribution
How 27 clif bars products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 27.6 · Average nutrition score: 7.3/10
Clif Bars Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed clif bars products in our database:
How to Read Clif Bars Labels
- 1
Brown rice syrup as the first ingredient means sugar is the primary component by weight
- 2
Soy protein isolate is extracted using hexane solvent — an industrial chemical process
- 3
"Organic" does not mean less processed — organic brown rice syrup is still a refined sweetener
- 4
The 20+ ingredient list contrasts sharply with the simple outdoor branding
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Clif bars good for hiking and outdoor sports?
Clif bars provide quick energy (primarily from brown rice syrup sugar) and moderate protein, which can be useful during activity. However, from a processing standpoint (Level 3-4, 20+ ingredients), trail mix, dates, or nuts provide similar energy at Level 1 with far less processing.
What is brown rice syrup and why is it the first ingredient?
Brown rice syrup is produced by treating cooked rice with enzymes to convert starch to sugar, then concentrating the liquid. It has a higher glycemic index than table sugar. It is the first ingredient in most Clif bars, meaning sugar is the primary component by weight.
Are Clif Builder bars more processed than regular Clif bars?
Yes. Clif Builder bars add additional soy protein isolate, sugar alcohols (erythritol), and a chocolate-flavored coating made with palm kernel oil and alkali-processed cocoa. They are firmly Level 4.