Protein bars
Fulfil Protein Bar
1.41 oz/40 g
Score
- Ultra-processed
- High in saturated fat
- Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
- Contains sugar alcohols
- Contains palm oil
- Seed-oil free
Why it scores 45
Fulfil Protein Bar scores 45 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 9 points Saturated fat 11.3 g / 100 g: Very high in saturated fat. 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
Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.
Better protein bars
-
Blueberry RXBAR · 1.83 oz Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Coconut Chocolate RXBAR · 52 g Not ultra-processed · Less saturated fat Score 79 out of 100 , 34 points higher -
Mosh nutrition bars Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 79 out of 100 , 34 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 , 34 points higher -
Mint Cacao Meal Bar Sans · 3 oz (85 g) Not ultra-processed · No non-nutritive sweeteners Score 75 out of 100 , 30 points higher
The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.
The Receipt
Protein Bar
Ingredients
- Sucralose minus 7.5 points
- Collagen minus 2.5 points
- Maltitol minus 2.5 points
- Palm kernel oil minus 1.5 points
- Glycerin minus 1.5 points
- Caseinate minus 1.5 points
- Whey protein concentrate / isolate minus 0.5 points
- Soy protein isolate / concentrate minus 0.5 points
- Natural flavors minus 0.5 points
- Soy lecithin minus 0.5 points
- Sunflower lecithin 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 11.3 g / 100 g minus 9 points
- Salt 1.1 g / 100 g minus 3 points
- Energy 400 kcal / 100 g minus 2 points
- Protein 37.5 g / 100 g plus 4 points
100 − 55 = 45
Can’t score above 79. High in saturated fat (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [14]
Nutrition per 100 g
| Energy | 400 kcal |
|---|---|
| Fat | 12.5 g |
| Saturated fat | 11.3 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37.5 g |
| Sugars | 2.5 g |
| Added sugars | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Protein | 37.5 g |
| Salt | 1.1 g |
Serving: 1 Bar (40 g)
Ingredients
- HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN
- MALTITOL
- PALM KERNEL OIL
- GLYCERIN
- CALCIUM CASEINATE
- MALTITOL SYRUP
- WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE
- WATER
- MILK
- HYDROLYZED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE
- SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE
- RICE FLOUR
- ANHYDROUS MILK FAT
- COCOA
- COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI
- NATURAL FLAVORS
- NONFAT MILK
- SALT
- SOY LECITHIN
- SUCRALOSE (moderate concern)
- SUNFLOWER LECITHIN
- VITAMIN BLEND (ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), THIAMINE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12))
Label text, as published
HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN, MALTITOL, PALM KERNEL OIL, GLYCERIN, CALCIUM CASEINATE, MALTITOL SYRUP, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, WATER, MILK, HYDROLYZED WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, RICE FLOUR, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF EACH OF THE FOLLOWING: ANHYDROUS MILK FAT, COCOA, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, NATURAL FLAVORS, NONFAT MILK, SALT, SOY LECITHIN, SUCRALOSE, SUNFLOWER LECITHIN. VITAMIN BLEND [ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NIACINAMIDE (VITAMIN B3), ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), THIAMINE MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), VITAMIN A PALMITATE, CYANOCOBALAMIN (VITAMIN B12)].
Allergens and diets
Contains: Milk, Soy
- Not vegan
- Not vegetarian
- Not 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
-
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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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
-
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
-
Process contaminants in vegetable oils and foods
“The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats.”
efsa.europa.eu
-
“Glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol”
eur-lex.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
-
“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