Snack and Nutrition Bars are one of the most popular snacks and dietary supplements in the U.S., generating $7.4 billion in 2024. While people use it for a quick snack and meal replacement, they all complement and supplement their already healthy lifestyle choices and have certain safety and quality expectations. At Clean Label Project, rather than accepting safety as a given, we rely on data and science to reveal the truth behind what consumers are really ingesting, focusing on ensuring transparency and safety in the market.
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Clean Label Project purchased and rigorously tested 165 of the top-selling Snack and Nutrition Bars (sourced from Nielsen, SPINS and Amazon’s best-seller lists), supplemented with top products from the natural and organic marketplace. It also assessed multiple panels of industrial and environmental contaminants. Collaborating with an analytical chemistry lab, Clean Label Project amassed over 20,000 data points from 50 brands and 165 products to benchmark the findings.
| Bar Type | # Bars Tested | # Bars Exceeding Prop 65 Lead Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy Free | 57 | 30 (53%) |
| Gluten Free | 98 | 31 (32%) |
| Organic | 51 | 19 (37%) |
| Non-GMO | 92 | 34 (37%) |
| Soy Free | 35 | 20 (57%) |
| Vegan | 53 | 23 (43%) |
Our study discovered heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium), Acrylamide, Bisphenols, Glyphosate, Pesticides, and Phthalates in tested nutrition and snack bars. These contaminants pose significant health harms to consumers.
Acrylamide, a chemical that forms in some foods during high-temperature cooking, has been linked to various health concerns, including nervous system effects, potential reproductive issues, and a possible link to cancer. While there’s no conclusive evidence of a direct link between acrylamide in food and human cancer, animal studies have shown acrylamide can cause cancer in high doses.
Bisphenols, especially Bisphenol A (BPA), are linked to various health concerns including reproductive issues, developmental problems, and increased risk of certain cancers and metabolic disorders.
Glyphosate, the active ingredient in many herbicides like Roundup, has been linked to several potential health effects, including cancer, liver inflammation, and metabolic disorders. While some studies suggest a possible link between glyphosate exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disagrees with these claims. Other concerns include potential endocrine disruption, effects on the immune system, and neurodegenerative effects.
Heavy metals can cause a wide range of health problems, including damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, and other organs, as well as increased risk of cancer and other diseases. Exposure to heavy metals can lead to neurological issues like impaired cognitive function, memory loss, and brain damage. Additionally, heavy metals can impair the immune system, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, and affect the reproductive system.
Pesticides can cause chronic health issues like cancer and neurological damage. Long-term exposure can lead to a variety of health problems, including endocrine disruption, immune system damage, and reproductive issues.
Phthalates are a class of chemicals with endocrine-disrupting properties. These chemicals are associated with health harms including increased risk of cancer, asthma and allergies, and learning attention and behavioral difficulties in children.
The two primary sources of contaminants in Snack and Nutrition Bars are the contaminated soils where ingredients are grown and the packaging used for these products. At the agricultural level, companies can hold suppliers accountable to minimize pesticide and soil contamination during the growth cycle of their ingredients. However, the good news is that packaging has seen significant improvements in terms of BPA content. Clean Label Project’s testing indicates that BPA has been nearly eliminated from packaging, with only 15% of products having detectable levels. This reflects the industry’s response to consumer demand and controversy surrounding this chemical.
Acrylamide, a naturally formed chemical in certain foods, is not directly added to food as a contaminant but rather forms during high-temperature cooking processes, particularly in plant-based foods rich in carbohydrates. This process, known as the Maillard reaction, involves reducing sugars and amino acids, like asparagine, reacting at high temperatures. The Maillard reaction is responsible for both the browning of food and the development of flavors.
Bisphenols, particularly Bisphenol A (BPA), can contaminate food through leaching from food packaging and other materials. BPA is used in the linings of metal food cans and in polycarbonate plastics, which can be used for food storage containers, water bottles, and baby bottles. This means that BPA can migrate from these materials into the food or beverages they contain.
Glyphosate, a common herbicide, can contaminate food through various pathways. These include direct application to crops, migration via air or water, contamination during harvesting and processing, and even through animal vectors like bees. It can also be absorbed by plants, leading to residues in fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Glyphosate is also used as a desiccant in some crops, leading to potential contamination of food. This contamination occurs because glyphosate, used to dry out crops for easier harvest, can leave residues on the plant. When used incorrectly or too soon before harvest, these residues can persist in the harvested crop and be ingested. Additionally, glyphosate applied as a desiccant can contaminate plant pollen and nectar, potentially affecting the food supply.
Heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium, are naturally occurring elements found in the Earth’s crust. They can enter the environment through natural processes like volcanic eruptions, weathering of rocks, and soil erosion. Over time, they accumulate in air, water, and soil, where they can make their way into plants, animals, and eventually into human food sources. Though naturally occurring, the concentration of these metals can increase due to human activities such as mining, industrial processes, and agricultural practices, leading to higher exposure risks in food products. Given the absence of federal regulations that require proactive testing to minimize the introduction into finished products, they can be unintentionally introduced into all foods and consumer products.
Pesticides can contaminate food through several pathways, leading to residues that may pose health risks if consumed.
Phthalates contaminate food primarily through food packaging, processing equipment, and food preparation materials, which can leach into food and beverages. Additionally, phthalates can enter the food chain through contaminated water and soil.
Surprisingly, there are no comprehensive federal regulations specifically targeting dietary exposure to heavy metals in food, with most safety efforts focused on physical and microbiological contaminants. However, recent discussions in Congress and the FDA (with Closer-to-Zero and action limits for baby food) are pushing for stricter standards on heavy metals and industrial chemicals in food products. States like California have led the charge with Prop 65 (which is referenced many times in the Snack and Nutrition Bars white paper) and California and Maryland transparency laws for heavy metals in baby food (CA AB899 & MD SB723). While(CA AB899 & MD SB723)initially focus on infant foods, they signal growing concern over contaminants in food across all categories.
13Clean Label Project contracted the independent, ISO/IEC 17025-accredited analytical chemistry laboratory, Ellipse Analytics, to test six (6) industrial chemical panels, including heavy metals and BPA. The heavy metals, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury, were tested by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Phthalates were tested by Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS/MS). Bisphenols and pesticides are tested by Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS).
Our mission is to empower consumers to see beyond flashy marketing. When it comes to selecting low-contaminant options, our recommendation is to purchase bars labeled as “Kids” as they were lower in Heavy Metals, Pesticides and Phthalates.
