GoodSwap Get notified
Clif Bar Peanut Butter Banana W/ Dark Chocolate
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Protein Energy Bars

Clif Bar Peanut Butter Banana W/ Dark Chocolate

Five 2.4 oz (68 g) bars, 12 oz (340 g) package

Bad out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in sugar
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains whole grains
Get GoodSwap

Why it scores 17

Clif Bar Peanut Butter Banana W/ Dark Chocolate scores 17 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Malt syrup: 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 granola and snack bars

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

The Receipt

Peanut Butter Banana W/ Dark Chocolate

START100

Ingredients

  • Corn syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Malt syrup
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Soy protein isolate / concentrate
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Inulin (chicory root fiber)
    Info An ingredient class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • 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. [5][4]
subtotal−45.5

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: bulking agent, flavoring, industrial protein and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [4]
subtotal−22.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 25 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 2.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. [6]
  • Salt 0.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [7]
  • Energy 382 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 7.4 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
subtotal−15
TOTAL 17Bad

100 − 83 = 17

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

Can’t score above 79. High in sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [8]

GTIN 00722252068880 · 2026-05-10

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy382 kcal
Fat11.8 g
Saturated fat2.9 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates60.3 g
Sugars25 g
Added sugars20.6 g
Fiber7.4 g
Protein14.7 g
Salt0.9 g

Serving: 1 bar (68 g)

Ingredients

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

organic rolled oats, organic brown rice syrup, soy protein isolate, rice flour, barley malt extract, organic tapioca syrup, organic peanut butter, unsweetened chocolate, organic peanuts, chicory fiber, banana powder, dried bananas, salt, natural flavors, mixed tocopherols (antioxidant)

Allergens and diets

Contains: Peanuts, Soy, Gluten

  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest protein energy bars in the US

More from Clif Bar

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. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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