Independent Lab Finds False Label Claims In Nutrition Bars

Consumer Laboratories, an independent lab whose purpose is to make sure that dietary supplements and food products meet label claim, then make their findings public, found that the majority of 34 nutrition bars tested met their claims, but the following problems were found in four products:

• Detour™ New Triple Layer Deluxe Whey Protein Energy Bar (Caramel Peanut) contained 28% more carbohydrates (7 grams) than its stated 25 grams.
• Keto Bar® (Lemon Chiffon) contained 50% more (1 gram) of saturated fat than its stated 2 grams.
• Zone Perfect® All Natural Nutrition Bar (Fudge Graham) — contained approximately 27% more saturated fat (.8 grams) than the 3 grams claimed.
• Slim-Fast® Meal Options® Breakfast & Lunch Bars (Dutch Chocolate) had 3.6 grams of the sugar alcohol lactitol that was not listed on the label.

According to Consumer Labs, differences in the nutritional design among products were striking. It is essential that consumers appreciate how one bar may differ from the next and which is best for them. Some of the key differences found among the bars were:

• "Net carbs" and sugar alcohols — For "low-carb" dieters, many bars displayed a "net carb" calculation that excluded carbohydrates thought to have less impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. This practice has been neither sanctioned nor stopped by the FDA (which also has not authorized the term "low-carb" in labeling). Total carbohydrates in such products often exceed twenty grams per bar, while the "net carbs" displayed are often only two or three grams. The carbs not counted, typically glycerin and sugar alcohols, still add calories and can easily account for one-quarter of the bar's weight. Some sugar alcohols, such as lactitol, can also have a laxative effect or cause gas.
• "Bad" fats — At least half the fat in most bars was saturated fat. Saturated fat is associated with an increased risk for heart disease and the USDA recommends that less than 10% of total daily calories should come from saturated fat, which means less that less than one-third of total dietary fat should be saturated. As a reference, a product claiming to be "Low in Saturated Fat" must have less than one gram of saturated fat per serving. Amounts of trans fats, also considered "bad" for the heart, were generally not labeled. These fats can be spotted, however, by looking for "hydrogenated" oils.
• Added vitamins — Many bars were vitamin-fortified. If you take other vitamins or fortified products (such fortified breakfast cereals or vitamin waters) be careful not to exceed tolerable levels. For example, over 10,000 IU of vitamin A (as retinol) daily can weaken bones. And don't give highly fortified bars to young children — the tolerable level of vitamin A for a 3 year old, for example, is only 2,000 IU per day, while a bar with 50% of the adult daily value (DV) contains 1,500 IU.
• Bar as a meal — If you're replacing a meal with a bar, be sure it contains enough energy. Calories ranged from as much as 330 down to only 110, depending on bar size and ingredients. Adults need about 2,000 to 3,000 calories per day. If a large amount of a low or no calorie sweetener like sucralose (Splenda") is used, even large bars may leave you hungry.

Bonnie - One must be extremely carfeul when choosing a snack/nutrition bar. I do not advocate making them a staple in your diet for many reasons, including those mentioned above. If, on an occasional basis, you skip a meal, it is better to eat a bar than nothing. For those use bars frequently while exercising, I would treat each case on an individual basis, taking into factors such as, daily nutrient intake, food sensitivity/allergy, medical history, genetic variation, etc.