Why is Soft & Chewy classified as ultra‑processed (NOVA 4) and what specific additives does it contain?

The bar is made from refined grains, multiple sweeteners, added flavours and a range of processing aids; its ingredient list includes glycerin (E422), sodium bicarbonate (E500/E500ii), ascorbic acid, natural flavours and soy lecithin, all of which are typical markers of ultra‑processed foods, leading to its NOVA 4 rating.

How does the sugar content in Soft & Chewy affect a diabetic or hypertensive diet?

With about 29 g of sugar per 100 g, the bar can cause rapid blood‑glucose spikes, making it unsuitable for tight diabetic control, while its modest 0.3 g of salt is low for hypertension but the high sugar still poses a cardiovascular risk, so limited consumption is advised for both conditions.

Is Soft & Chewy suitable for vegan, keto, gluten‑free, or halal diets?

The product is not vegan because it contains milk derivatives, not gluten‑free due to wheat flakes, barley and oats, and is high in carbohydrates, so it does not fit a keto plan; halal status cannot be confirmed from the label, so consumers requiring halal certification should verify with the manufacturer.

Kirkland

Soft & Chewy

Sugary Snacks

Product Insights

Soft & Chewy is a Kirkland soft and chewy cereal bar sold at Costco, classified in the Sugary snacks group of the PNNS classification. It carries a Nutri‑Score of D and falls in the ultra‑processed NOVA 4 category, delivering 416 kcal per 100 g with 29 g of sugars, 10 g of total fat (including 4 g saturated fat), 0.3 g of salt, 8 g of protein and 4 g of fiber. The bar contains gluten‑bearing grains, milk and soy allergens and includes additives such as glycerin (E422) and sodium bicarbonate (E500/E500ii), which together offset its whole‑grain oat and fiber benefits.

Nutrient Levels

Traffic light indicators

Fat

moderate

Saturated Fat

moderate

Sugars

high

Salt

moderate

Nutritional Values

Values per 100 g/ml

Energy Kcal417 kcal

Iron2.9 mg

Comparative Analysis

Compared with average cereal bars, Soft & Chewy has slightly more sugar (29 g vs 28.98 g) and considerably more carbohydrates (75 g vs 59.6 g), but far less total fat (10 g vs 17.6 g), saturated fat (4 g vs 7.8 g), and salt (0.3 g vs 2 g), while providing higher fiber (4 g vs 3 g) and protein (8 g vs 6.3 g).

Ingredients

Granola (whole rolled oats, sugar, canola oil [canola oil, ascorbic acid, natural flavour], fancy molasses, sodium bicarbonate, soy lecithin), Sugars (glucose, sugar, fructose), Semi-sweet chocolate chips (chocolate liquor, sugar, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Crisp rice (rice flour, sugar, calcium carbonate, barley malt extract [corn syrup solids, barley malt extract], salt), Canola oil (canola oil, ascorbic acid, natural flavour), Glycerin, Dried unsweetened coconut, Soy lecithin, Natural flavour, Salt, Wheat flakes, Modified milk ingredients. Contains: Barley, Milk, Oats, Soy, Wheat.

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