Energy bars
IQ Bar Salted Caramel Chip
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains added sugars
- Seed-oil free
Why it scores 47
IQ Bar Salted Caramel Chip scores 47 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Caramel: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 5 points Saturated fat 5.6 g / 100 g: High in saturated fat. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein bars
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Coconut Chocolate RXBAR · 52 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Blueberry RXBAR · 1.83 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Mosh nutrition bars Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Fellas Peanut and Cocoa High-Protein Bar 45 g Fellas · 45 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 32 points higher -
Mint Cacao Meal Bar Sans · 3 oz (85 g) Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 75 out of 100 , 28 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Salted Caramel Chip
Ingredients
- Caramel minus 20 points
- Protein blend (unspecified) minus 2.5 points
- Pea protein minus 2.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 1.5 points
- Stevia (steviol glycosides) minus 1.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 5.6 g / 100 g minus 5 points
- Salt 1.1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 378 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 15.6 g / 100 g plus 4 points
- Protein 26.7 g / 100 g plus 2 points
100 − 53 = 47
Can’t score above 79. Contains caramel, 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). [9]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 378 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 24.4 g |
| Saturated fat | 5.6 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Sugars | 2.2 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 15.6 g |
| Protein | 26.7 g |
| Salt | 1.1 g |
Serving: 1 bar (45 g)
Ingredients
- Nuts (Almonds, Macadamia Nuts)
- Protein Blend (Pea Protein, Pea Nuts)
- Protein Crisps (Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch)
- Natural Flavors
- Prebiotic Blend (Tapioca Fiber, Vegetable Fiber) (not recognized)
- Coconut Oil
- Unsweetened Chocolate
- Water
- Sea Salt
- Lion's Mane
- Stevia
- Plant Extract
- Vitamin E
- Caramel (high concern)
Label text, as published
Nuts (Almonds, Macadamia Nuts), Protein Blend (Pea Protein, Pea Nuts), Protein Crisps [Pea Protein, Tapioca Starch]), Natural Flavors, Prebiotic Blend (Tapioca Fiber, Vegetable Fiber), Coconut Oil, Unsweetened Chocolate, Water, Sea Salt, Lion's Mane, Stevia, Plant Extract, Vitamin E, Caramel
Allergens and diets
Contains: Tree nuts
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
More energy bars on GoodSwap
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Chocolate Sea Salt RXBAR RXBAR · 1 bar (52 g) High in sugarNo additives Score 77 out of 100 Good -
Chocolate Chip Energy Bar Clif · 2.40 oz (68 g) Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 18 out of 100 Bad -
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Clif Bar · 68 g Ultra-processedContains added sugarsContains seed oilsContains whole grains Score 17 out of 100 Bad -
Sweet & Salty Caramel Peanut Crisp Kind Protein Max Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains palm oilSeed-oil free Score 56 out of 100 Okay -
Strawberry Banana Layered Fruit Bars Pure Organic Ultra-processedHigh in sugarContains added sugarsCertified organic Score 37 out of 100 Poor -
Superfood Snack Bar Why Bars · 58 g Ultra-processedHigh in saturated fatContains added sugarsContains seed oils Score 21 out of 100 Poor
More from IQ Bar
Sources
-
Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children
“In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”
who.int
-
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030
“Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”
cdn.realfood.gov
-
Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives
“whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”
ecfr.gov
-
WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline
“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
-
Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline
“WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”
who.int
-
“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
-
“Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
-
“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