Peanut bars
David Salted Peanut Butter Flavored Bar
2.19 oz
Score
- Ultra-processed
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains sugar alcohols
- Contains artificial flavors
Why it scores 52
David Salted Peanut Butter Flavored Bar scores 52 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:
- minus 18 points Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Sucralose: In a 2022 randomized study, sucralose and saccharin altered the gut microbiome and impaired glucose responses in some people; a 2023 lab study raised questions about its by-product sucralose-6-acetate. Strong
- minus 7.5 points Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K): In the NutriNet-Santé cohort, acesulfame-K intake was associated with higher cancer risk; cause and effect is not established. Strong
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better granola and snack bars
-
Core bar peanut butter chocolate CORE Bar · 8 oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 91 out of 100 , 39 points higher -
Skout Chocolate Peanut Butter Kids Snack Bars Skout Organic Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
Chocolate Peanut Butter Jonesbar · 1.7 oz/47 g Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
Peanut Butter Cookie Bar Larabar · 13.6 oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 27 points higher -
Variety Pack Larabar · 18 × 1.6 oz Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 95 out of 100 , 43 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Salted Peanut Butter Flavored Bar
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) minus 7.5 points
- Milk protein concentrate / isolate minus 2.5 points
- Collagen minus 1.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 1.5 points
- Maltitol minus 1.5 points
- Allulose minus 0.5 points
- Glycerin minus 0.5 points
- Soluble corn fiber (resistant dextrin) minus 0.5 points
- Natural and artificial flavors minus 0.5 points
Processing
- Ultra-processed (NOVA 4) minus 18 points
- 6 kinds of ultra-processing markers minus 7.5 points
Nutrition per 100 g
- Saturated fat 1.5 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Salt 0.5 g / 100 g minus 1 points
- Energy 242 kcal / 100 g minus 1 points
- Protein 45.2 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 48.5 = 51.5 → 52
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 242 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 4 g |
| Saturated fat | 1.5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19.4 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 45.2 g |
| Salt | 0.5 g |
Serving: 1 serving (62 g)
Ingredients
- Milk protein isolate
- collagen
- whey protein concentrate
- egg white
- maltitol
- allulose
- glycerin
- soluble corn fiber
- tapioca starch
- modified plant fat (EPG) (not recognized)
- peanut flour
- peanut extract
- salt
- natural and artificial flavor
- sucralose (moderate concern)
- Dutch process cocoa powder
- acesulfame potassium (moderate concern)
Label text, as published
Milk protein isolate, collagen, whey protein concentrate, egg white, maltitol, allulose, glycerin, soluble corn fiber, tapioca starch, modified plant fat (EPG), peanut flour, peanut extract, salt, natural and artificial flavor, sucralose, Dutch process cocoa powder, acesulfame potassium. Contains: peanut, milk, egg. May contain: soy, sesame, tree nuts.
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Peanuts, Egg
May contain: Tree nuts, Soy, Sesame
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Palm-oil-free
Always check the package: recipes change.
Sources
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Personalized microbiome-driven effects of non-nutritive sweeteners on human glucose tolerance
“As groups, each administered NNS distinctly altered stool and oral microbiome and plasma metabolome, whereas saccharin and sucralose significantly impaired glycemic responses.”
doi.org
-
“Sucralose-6-acetate significantly increased the expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and cancer”
doi.org
-
“EFSA’s experts concluded that the sweetener sucralose (E 955) continues to be safe for consumers for its currently authorised uses as a food additive.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
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
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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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Artificial sweeteners and cancer risk: Results from the NutriNet-Santé population-based cohort study
“In this large cohort study, artificial sweeteners (especially aspartame and acesulfame-K), which are used in many food and beverage brands worldwide, were associated with increased cancer risk.”
doi.org
-
Re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E 950) as food additive (plain language summary)
“The acceptable daily intake (ADI) considered safe for all population groups was set at 15 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, Annex III point 2.4 (foods with more than 10 % added polyols)
“‘excessive consumption may produce laxative effects’.”
eur-lex.europa.eu
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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
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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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“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