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Kellogg's Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Meal Bars
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Bars

Kellogg's Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Meal Bars

45 g

Bad out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains sugar alcohols
  • Contains seed oils
  • Contains palm oil
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Why it scores 13

Kellogg's Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Meal Bars scores 13 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
  2. 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 protein bars

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

The Receipt

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Meal Bars

START100

Ingredients

  • Corn syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Fructose
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
subtotal−50

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 9 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, emulsifier, flavoring, humectant, industrial protein, industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate, non-nutritive sweetener, sugar alcohol (polyol) and thickener, stabilizer or gelling agent. [4]
subtotal−26

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 13.3 g / 100 g
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 8.9 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in saturated fat. [5]
  • Salt 1.2 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [6]
  • Energy 400 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 13.3 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
  • Protein 26.7 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−11
TOTAL 13Bad

100 − 87 = 13

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

Can’t score above 79. High in fat and saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [7]

GTIN 00038000000102 · 2026-09-29

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy400 kcal
Fat17.8 g
Saturated fat8.9 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates42.2 g
Sugars13.3 g
Added sugars13.3 g
Fiber13.3 g
Protein26.7 g
Salt1.2 g

Serving: 1 bar (45 g)

Ingredients

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

INGREDIENTS: SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, POLYDEXTROSE, CORN SYRUP, PEANUTS, VEGETABLE OIL (soybean, palm and palm kernel), SUGAR, PEANUT BUTTER (peanuts), MALTITOL, SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE (cane sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, CONTAINS 2% OR LESS OF fructose, vegetable glycerin, whey, natural flavors, pectin, sea salt, sorbitol, salt, soy lecithin, steviol glycosides, rosemary extract for freshness, almond flour, wheat starch. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: Calcium carbonate, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E acetate, iron, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D3.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Tree nuts, Soy, Wheat

  • Not vegan
  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest bars in the US

More from Kellogg's

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

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  5. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  6. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  7. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  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

  10. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”

    who.int

  11. Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)

    European Union (Official Journal) · Oct 25, 2011 · Law

    “‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”

    eur-lex.europa.eu

  12. 21 CFR 184.1835 Sorbitol

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Nov 22, 2016 · Law

    ““Excess consumption may have a laxative effect.””

    ecfr.gov

  13. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”

    doi.org

  14. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  15. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  16. Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food

    European Union (Official Journal) · Apr 25, 2023 · Law

    “Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”

    eur-lex.europa.eu