Cereal Bars, Vanilla Crisp

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Cereal Bars, Vanilla Crisp scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Artificial Flavors (Natural And Artificial Vanilla Flavor): Synthetic flavors indicate industrial food production.
• Chemical Preservatives (Bht): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Sugar Alcohols (Sorbitol): Modified sweeteners common in diet UPF products.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerin, Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Snack & Energy Bars, this product is more processed than about 65% of the 8,001 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Cereal Bars, Vanilla Crisp's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Cereal (Rice, Whole Grain Wheat, Sugar, Wheat Bran, Soluble Wheat Fiber, Salt, Malt Flavoring, Maltodextrin, Thiamin Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Riboflavin [Vitamin B2]), Fructose, Sugar, Maltodextrin, and 2 more.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Vegetable Oil (Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel And Soybean Oil, Soybean And Palm Oil With Tbhq For Freshness).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.