Bars
Clif ZBAR Chocolate Brownie
1
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in sugar
- Contains added sugars
- Contains seed oils
- Certified organic
- Contains whole grains
Why it scores 11
Clif ZBAR Chocolate Brownie scores 11 out of 100 (Bad) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 20 points Corn syrup: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 20 points Invert sugar: An added sugar. Strong
- minus 18 points 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
-
Snack-Size Energy Bar Chocolate Brownie Clif · 0.99 oz (28 g) Not ultra-processed · No invert sugar Score 65 out of 100 , 54 points higher -
Dark chocolate brownie nut butter bar B.T.R. Nation · 35 g Less sugar · No seed oils Score 55 out of 100 , 44 points higher -
Soft Baked Almond Flour Bars Chocolate Brownie Simple Mills · 5.99 oz/170 g Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 49 out of 100 , 38 points higher -
Chocolate Chip Brownie Larabar · 1.6 oz Not ultra-processed · No seed oils Score 48 out of 100 , 37 points higher -
Protein Treats Double Chocolate Magic Spoon Less sugar · No added sugars Score 56 out of 100 , 45 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
ZBAR Chocolate Brownie
Ingredients
- Corn syrup minus 20 points
- Invert sugar minus 20 points
- Sugar minus 10 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 3 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Sugars 30.6 g / 100 g minus 14 points
- Saturated fat 2.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Salt 0.8 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 361 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Fiber 8.3 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 89 = 11
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). [7]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 361 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 11.1 g |
| Saturated fat | 2.8 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 69.4 g |
| Sugars | 30.6 g |
| Added sugars | 10 g |
| Fiber | 8.3 g |
| Protein | 5.6 g |
| Salt | 0.8 g |
Serving: 1 bar (36 g)
Ingredients
- OAT BLEND (ROLLED OATS, OAT FLOUR, OAT FIBER) (not recognized)
- TAPIOCA SYRUP (high concern)
- CANE SYRUP (high concern)
- FIG PASTE (not recognized)
- CANE SUGAR (high concern)
- COCOA
- UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE
- HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- COCOA BUTTER
- SEA SALT
- BAKING SODA
- SOY LECITHIN
- VANILLA EXTRACT
Label text, as published
OAT BLEND* (ROLLED OATS*, OAT FLOUR*, OAT FIBER*), TAPIOCA SYRUP*, CANE SYRUP*, FIG PASTE*, CANE SUGAR*, COCOA*, UNSWEETENED CHOCOLATE*, HIGH OLEIC SUNFLOWER OIL*, NATURAL FLAVORS, COCOA BUTTER*, SEA SALT, BAKING SODA, SOY LECITHIN*, VANILLA EXTRACT*.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Soy, Gluten
- Not gluten-free
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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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
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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
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Added and free sugars should be as low as possible
“Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”
efsa.europa.eu
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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
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“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
-
“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
-
“These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”
doi.org