Meal Replacement Bar, Vanilla Caramel Churro

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Meal Replacement Bar, Vanilla Caramel Churro 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.
• Sugar Alcohols (Maltitol): Modified sweeteners common in diet UPF products.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerin, Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Natural Flavors (Natural Flavors): Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Xanthan Gum): Industrial stabilizers common in 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 Meal Replacement Bar, Vanilla Caramel Churro'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: Yogurt Coating (Sugar, Fractionated Palm Kernel Oil, Nonfat Dry Milk Solids, Yogurt Powder [Cultured Whey Protein Concentrate, Cultured Skim Milk], Soy Lecithin [Emulsifier], Salt, Natural Flavor), Caramel Layer (Maltitol Syrup, Non Fat Dry Milk, Palm Kernel Oil, Milk Protein Isolate, Heavy Cream, Glycerin, Butter, Salt, Mono & Diglycerides, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor), Brown Rice Syrup, Brown Sugar.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Palm Oil, Canola Oil (With Tocopherols Added To Protect Flavor).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Dipotassium Phosphate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Gluconate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, and 1 more.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

Synthetic VitaminsProcessing indicator

In this product: Peanut Flour. Vitamin And Mineral Blend: Tricalcium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Niacinamide, Vitamin A Palmitate, and 6 more.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.