Quaker Chewy Granola Bar Dark Chocolate Chunk
At a glance
Summary
Quaker Chewy Granola Bar Dark Chocolate Chunk scores 13/100. EWG's February 2024 chlormequat study detected the pesticide at ~90 ppb. Chlormequat is a plant growth regulator linked to reduced fertility and developmental toxicity in animal studies; it is not approved for use on food crops grown in the U.S. On top of EWG 2023's 85.6 ppb glyphosate, this ultra-processed (NOVA 4) bar already carries soybean oil, corn syrup, BHT preservative, vanillin, and caramel color — the chlormequat finding is the latest pesticide load on a deck that was already deeply problematic.
Contaminants 2
Source: EWG
Glyphosate 85.6 ppb Moderate
Detected at a moderate level — a meaningful amount worth factoring in if this product is eaten regularly. Glyphosate is classified as a probable human carcinogen by IARC, and glyphosate-residue-free supply chains exist — so its presence reflects ingredient sourcing.
EWG 2023 testing detected glyphosate at 85.6 ppb.
Chlormequat ~90 ppb High
Detected at a high level — at or above health-based exposure limits. Regular exposure at this level is a genuine health concern. Chlormequat is a plant growth regulator (PGR) used to shorten cereal stalks pre-harvest. Animal studies link chlormequat exposure to reduced fertility, delayed puberty, and developmental toxicity (Environmental Health Perspectives 2018; Reproductive Toxicology 2020). Chlormequat is not approved for use on food crops grown in the U.S., so its presence in this product indicates pre-harvest spraying on imported (likely Canadian or European) oats. There is no FDA tolerance for chlormequat in oat-based foods sold in the U.S.
EWG's February 2024 study detected chlormequat chloride at ~90 ppb in this product. EWG detected chlormequat in 80% of urine samples from a U.S. population in 2023.
Key ingredients 9
Soybean OilVery Bad
Seed oil extremely high in omega-6 linoleic acid. Industrially extracted using hexane solvents. Highly inflammatory.
See more about Soybean Oil →Corn SyrupBad
Highly processed liquid sugar. Rapidly spikes blood sugar with zero nutritional value.
See more about Corn Syrup →Brown SugarBad
Refined sugar adding empty calories — one of multiple sweeteners in this product.
See more about Brown Sugar →FructoseBad
Isolated fructose metabolized primarily by the liver. Associated with fatty liver disease when consumed in excess.
See more about Fructose →VanillinBad
Artificial vanilla flavoring synthesized from petrochemicals or wood pulp. Not natural vanilla.
See more about Vanillin →BHTBad
Butylated hydroxytoluene — synthetic antioxidant preservative. Banned or restricted in several countries. Potential endocrine disruptor.
See more about BHT →Caramel ColorBad
Industrial coloring agent that may contain 4-MEI, a potential carcinogen. Purely cosmetic additive with no nutritional value.
See more about Caramel Color →SorbitolNeutral
Sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. Can cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals.
See more about Sorbitol →Whole Grain OatsVery Good
Whole grain oats provide beta-glucan fiber for heart health, though heavily offset by the ultra-processed ingredients surrounding them.
See more about Whole Grain Oats →Processing
Ultra-Processed Foods
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