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Kashi Island Vanilla
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Extruded cereals

Kashi Island Vanilla

16.3 oz

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • Contains added sugars
  • Certified organic
  • No additives
  • Contains whole grains
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Why it scores 40

Kashi Island Vanilla scores 40 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Invert sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  3. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better breakfast cereals

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Island Vanilla

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Invert sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [4][5]
subtotal−42.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [5]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavoring and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [5]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 15.8 g / 100 g
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Energy 331 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 10.9 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
subtotal−6

Bonuses

  • Certified organic
    Info Carries a certified-organic label. [6][7]
  • No additives
    Info No food additives in the ingredient list. [5]
subtotal+8
TOTAL 40Okay

100 − 60 = 40

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

GTIN 00018627703358 · 2026-03-04

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy331 kcal
Fat1.4 g
Saturated fat0.2 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates78.5 g
Sugars15.8 g
Added sugars15.5 g
Fiber10.9 g
Protein11.1 g
Salt0 g

Serving: 29 Biscuits (59 g)

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

INGREDIENTS: Whole grain wheat*, cane sugar*, invert cane sugar*, vanilla bean*, vanilla extract*, natural flavor*. *Organic

Allergens and diets

Contains: Wheat, Gluten

  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest extruded cereals in the US

More from Kashi

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  5. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products

    European Union (Official Journal) · May 30, 2018 · Law

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  7. 7 CFR 205.102 Use of the term "organic" (National Organic Program)

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Feb 17, 2010 · Law

    “Any agricultural product that is sold, labeled, or represented as “100 percent organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))” must be: (a) Produced in accordance with the requirements specified in § 205.101 or §§ 205.202 through 205.207”

    ecfr.gov

  8. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  9. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org