Cascadian Farm

Rated at 2 out of 5 green leaves, the Cascadian Farm Oats And Honey Granola Bar is an organic snack that falls short on our clean food criteria. While it boasts organic ingredients and avoids GMOs, the bar is marred by the inclusion of multiple added sugars and potentially harmful additives and oils.

The product earns recognition for its use of organic oats, brown rice, and honey. However, it’s the presence of cane sugar and tapioca syrup that leads to a significant deduction in its score, as these contribute additional sugars beyond what honey naturally provides. This factor alone raises concerns about the bar’s nutritional profile, considering the negative health impacts associated with excessive sugar intake.

More troubling are the ingredients listed as ‘natural flavor’ and glycerin. The term ‘natural flavor’ is often a catch-all that can mask a variety of substances, and without transparency, it’s challenging to determine the health implications. Glycerin, commonly used as a sweetener or preservative, can be safe in small amounts but is still a synthetic additive that some may wish to avoid.

The bar’s use of palm oil is another critical factor in its low rating. Despite its widespread use in processed foods, palm oil production is fraught with environmental concerns, including deforestation and habitat destruction, and it is often processed in a way that can negatively affect health.

By choosing to include these controversial ingredients, the Cascadian Farm Oats And Honey Granola Bar does not align with our standards for cleaner food options. The product’s score reflects these shortcomings, and it stands as an example of a food that, despite its organic label, requires significant reformulation to meet the expectations of health-conscious consumers seeking truly clean eating options.