Thin Mints Flavor Granola Bars, Thin Mints

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Thin Mints Flavor Granola Bars, Thin Mints scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Chemical Preservatives (Bht): Synthetic preservatives are UPF indicators.
• Emulsifiers (Glycerin, Soy Lecithin): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.
• Sugar Alcohols (Sorbitol): Modified sweeteners common in diet UPF products.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa Powder, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali)): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.

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 Thin Mints Flavor Granola Bars, Thin Mints' ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Natural FlavorsUPF marker

In this product: Natural Flavor, Vanilla Extract.

Despite being natural, these are highly processed extracts.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Granola (Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Brown Sugar, Brown Rice Crisp [Whole Grain Brown Rice Flour, Sugar, Salt], Whole Grain Rolled Wheat, Soybean Oil, Whole Wheat Flour, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin, Nonfat Dry Milk), Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip (Sugar, Unsweetened Chocolate, Cocoa Butter, Soy Lecithin, Natural Flavor, Vanilla Extract), Brown Rice Crisp (Whole Grain Brown Rice Flour, Sugar, Salt), Sugar, and 2 more.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Soybean Oil. Contains 2% Or Less Of Vegetable Oil (Palm Kernel And Palm Oil).

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Calcium Carbonate.

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: Tocopherols.

Fortification often compensates for processing losses.

Food AcidsProcessing indicator

In this product: Citric Acid.

Common in both traditional and industrial foods.