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The Protein Ball Co. Choc Chip Muffin
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Chocolate covered nuts and fruits

The Protein Ball Co. Choc Chip Muffin

45 g

Poor out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in sugar
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains added sugars
  • No additives
  • Seed-oil free
  • Contains whole grains
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Why it scores 29

The Protein Ball Co. Choc Chip Muffin scores 29 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Fruit juice concentrate (sweetener): An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Sugars 29.3 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong

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

Better muffins

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

The Receipt

Choc Chip Muffin

START100

Ingredients

  • Fruit juice concentrate (sweetener)
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Chocolate (sweetened, ingredient)
    Strong Contains added sugar. [1]
  • Pea protein
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [4]
  • Rice protein
    Info An ingredient 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−33

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [4]
  • 3 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavoring, industrial protein and industrial sugar or starch hydrolysate. [4]
subtotal−21

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 29.3 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 5.9 g / 100 g
    Strong High in saturated fat. [6]
  • Energy 425 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 9.3 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
subtotal−17
TOTAL 29Poor

100 − 71 = 29

Can’t score above 79. Contains fruit juice concentrate (sweetener), an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

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

GTIN 00813047020203 · 2026-07-15

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy425 kcal
Fat21.9 g
Saturated fat5.9 g
Carbohydrates45.2 g
Sugars29.3 g
Added sugars0 g
Fiber9.3 g
Protein16.5 g
Salt0.3 g

Serving: 1 portion (45 g)

Ingredients

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

Dates, Peanut Butter, Rice Starch, Grape juice concentrate, Gluten Free Oats (6%),. peanuts, Cacao Nibs (5%), Pea Protein, Rice Protein, Pea Crispies (Pea Protein, Rice Flour), Dark Chocolate Pieces (4%) (Cacao Butter, Dates, Cacao Powder), Cocoa Powder, Flaxseed, Tapioca Fibre, Acerola Cherry Extract, Natural Flavouring, Pink Himalayan Salt, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B12.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Peanuts, Gluten

  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Healthiest chocolate covered nuts and fruits in the US

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. 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