Quaker Chewy Granola Bar Dark Chocolate Chunk

Quaker
Contains seed oils Lab tested
13 Poor
View on Amazon

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.

At a glance

Beneficial ingredients 1
Harmful ingredients 6
Owned by PepsiCo
Category Snack Bars

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

Whole Grain Oats
Very Good

Whole grain oats provide beta-glucan fiber for heart health, though heavily offset by the ultra-processed ingredients surrounding them.

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Soybean Oil
Very Bad

Seed oil extremely high in omega-6 linoleic acid. Industrially extracted using hexane solvents. Highly inflammatory.

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Corn Syrup
Bad

Highly processed liquid sugar. Rapidly spikes blood sugar with zero nutritional value.

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Brown Sugar
Bad

Refined sugar adding empty calories — one of multiple sweeteners in this product.

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Fructose
Bad

Isolated fructose metabolized primarily by the liver. Associated with fatty liver disease when consumed in excess.

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Sorbitol
Neutral

Sugar alcohol used as a sweetener. Can cause digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals.

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Vanillin
Bad

Artificial vanilla flavoring synthesized from petrochemicals or wood pulp. Not natural vanilla.

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BHT
Very Bad

Butylated hydroxytoluene — synthetic antioxidant preservative. Banned or restricted in several countries. Potential endocrine disruptor.

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Caramel Color
Bad

Industrial coloring agent that may contain 4-MEI, a potential carcinogen. Purely cosmetic additive with no nutritional value.

See more about Caramel Color →

Processing

Group 4 · Ultra-processed

Ultra-Processed Foods

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