CLIF Kid ZBar Chocolate Chip
Analysis updated September 2026 · How Scout scores
At a glance
Summary
This snack bar contains a mix of beneficial organic ingredients like rolled oats, fig paste, and milled flaxseed, which provide fiber and nutrients. However, it is heavily processed and includes ingredients such as soybean oil and natural flavors, which are concerning due to their high omega-6 content and lack of transparency. The presence of multiple sweeteners and additives further contributes to its ultra-processed nature, limiting its health score.
Contaminants 8
Source: Consumer Reports, Contaminants in Kids' Snacks (August 2026) — three samples from 2–3 lots bought at retail, ISO 17025-accredited lab
Acrylamide 46 ppb (1.66 mcg per 36 g serving) High
One serving carries about 8.3 times California's Prop 65 no-significant-risk level for acrylamide (0.2 mcg per day), the threshold Consumer Reports applied at a serving a day. Acrylamide forms whenever starchy food is fried, baked or roasted. At 46 ppb it was well below Nature Valley's Oats 'n Honey bars (240 ppb), the highest of the four snack bars CR tested.
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (acrylamide by LC-MS/MS, J. Agric. Food Chem. 54:7001 (2006)) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: 46 ppb, which is 1.66 mcg in the 36 g (1 bar) serving. CR's reference values: OEHHA NSRL 0.2 mcg/day, MADL 140 mcg/day, EPA reference dose 2 mcg/kg body weight/day.
Glycidyl esters 39 ppb (1.39 mcg per 36 g serving) Moderate
Glycidyl esters form when vegetable oils are refined at high heat and turn into glycidol in the gut — a probable human carcinogen with no safe intake set by EFSA. One serving is about 2.6 times California's no-significant-risk level for glycidol (0.54 mcg per day), the reference CR applied. At 39 ppb it was the highest glycidyl ester level of the four snack bars CR tested.
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (glycidyl esters by GC-MS/MS, AOAC 2018.03) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: 39 ppb, which is 1.39 mcg per 36 g serving. CR's reference value: OEHHA NSRL for glycidol 0.54 mcg/day. The EU caps GE in retail vegetable oils at 1,000 µg/kg as glycidol; the U.S. has no limit.
3-MCPD Not detected Not detected
Not detected — below the laboratory's method detection limit in every sample. 3-MCPD is a by-product of refining vegetable oil at high heat.
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (3-MCPD by GC-MS/MS, AOAC 2018.03) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: not detected in any sample.
Lead 10.0 ppb (0.36 mcg per 36 g serving) Moderate
Detected — one serving is about 72% of California's Prop 65 maximum allowable dose for lead (0.5 mcg per day). No level of lead is considered beneficial, and children are the most sensitive group. This was the highest lead per serving of all 21 snacks CR tested.
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (lead by ICP-QQQ-MS, AOAC 2015.01) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: 10.0 ppb, which is 0.36 mcg per 36 g serving, against the OEHHA MADL of 0.5 mcg/day.
Cadmium 23.2 ppb (0.83 mcg per 36 g serving) Low
One serving is about 20% of California's Prop 65 maximum allowable dose for cadmium (4.1 mcg per day).
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (cadmium by ICP-QQQ-MS, AOAC 2015.01) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: 23.2 ppb, which is 0.83 mcg per 36 g serving, against the OEHHA MADL of 4.1 mcg/day.
Arsenic 6.50 ppb total (0.2 mcg per 36 g serving) Safe
CR ran its inorganic-arsenic follow-up only on the four products with the highest total arsenic, and this was not one of them. Even counted entirely as inorganic, one serving is about 2% of California's no-significant-risk level for inorganic arsenic (10 mcg per day).
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (total arsenic by ICP-QQQ-MS, AOAC 2015.01) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: 6.50 ppb, which is 0.2 mcg per 36 g serving; inorganic arsenic was tested only on the four products with the highest totals.
Mercury Not detected Not detected
Not detected — below the laboratory's method detection limit in every sample.
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (mercury by ICP-QQQ-MS, AOAC 2015.01) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: not detected in any sample.
DEHP (phthalate) 21 ppb (744 ng per 36 g serving) Safe
DEHP is a plasticiser that migrates from processing equipment and packaging. One serving is about 0.2% of California's Prop 65 maximum allowable dose for DEHP (410 mcg per day) and well under EPA's reference dose. Total phthalates were the same, so DEHP was the only one found.
Consumer Reports' August 2026 kids' snacks test (phthalates by GC-MS/MS, GB 5009.271-2016 mod.) on three Clif Kid Zbar Chocolate Chip samples from two to three lots: DEHP 21 ppb, which is 744 ng per 36 g serving; total phthalates 744 ng. References: OEHHA MADL 410 mcg/day, NSRL 310 mcg/day, EPA reference dose 20 mcg/kg body weight/day.
Key ingredients 8
Organic Tapioca SyrupBad
Processed additive flagged under Scout's ingredient doctrine.
See more about Organic Tapioca Syrup →Organic Dried Cane SyrupBad
This sweetener is high in sugars and can contribute to excess calorie intake when consumed frequently.
See more about Organic Dried Cane Syrup →Organic Soy LecithinBad
Soy lecithin is an emulsifier that may be processed and contains soy, which some consumers prefer to avoid.
See more about Organic Soy Lecithin →Organic Oat BlendGood
This ingredient provides whole grains and fiber, supporting digestive health and sustained energy release.
See more about Organic Oat Blend →Organic Chocolate ChipsGood
Chocolate chips add flavor and antioxidants from cocoa, making the snack more enjoyable and slightly beneficial.
See more about Organic Chocolate Chips →Organic Unsweetened ChocolateGood
Unsweetened chocolate provides antioxidants and rich cocoa flavor, supporting antioxidant intake.
See more about Organic Unsweetened Chocolate →Organic Cocoa ButterGood
Cocoa butter adds smooth texture and contains healthy fats, enhancing flavor and mouthfeel.
See more about Organic Cocoa Butter →Organic Vanilla ExtractGood
Vanilla extract enhances flavor naturally, making the product more appealing without artificial additives.
See more about Organic Vanilla Extract →Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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