Does Berry Almond Cake Bar contain dairy or gluten?

Yes, it contains both. It has milk powder and whey (dairy), and wheat flour is listed in the coating and crispies (gluten).

Is Berry Almond Cake Bar good for weight loss?

Probably not. It is high in sugar and calories due to the frosting and chocolate coating, making it a calorie-dense snack.

Where can I buy Berry Almond Cake Bar?

These are typically found in the snack or bakery aisle of major grocery stores, convenience stores, and online retailers like Amazon.

Is Berry Almond Cake Bar safe for kids?

Yes, it is safe for kids, but be aware of the high sugar content and potential choking hazards from the nuts and hard chocolate pieces.

Is Berry Almond Cake Bar Vegan?

No, the Berry Almond Cake Bar is not vegan. Despite the promising start of chopped almonds and berry puree, a closer look at the label reveals multiple animal-derived ingredients. Specifically, the presence of milk powder, butterfat, and shellac firmly places this snack outside of a plant-based diet.

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look beyond the marketing claims and straight at the formulation. When we analyze the Berry Almond Cake Bar, we find a complex list of ingredients that are strictly non-vegan. While the core concept of a nut and fruit bar sounds innocent, the binding agents and coatings are where the animal products hide.

The most obvious offender is the White Chocolate Chips. The ingredient list explicitly calls out Whole Milk Powder, Nonfat Dry Milk, and Butterfat. These are standard dairy ingredients derived from cow's milk, making the product incompatible with a vegan lifestyle. Furthermore, the Butter Cream Frosting contains sugar and shortening, but the name itself implies dairy, and the ingredient list confirms the inclusion of Milk Ingredients in the natural and artificial flavorings.

Perhaps the most surprising non-vegan ingredient is the Dark Chocolate Coated Rice Crispies. Many vegans assume dark chocolate is safe, but this specific formulation lists Shellac as a polishing agent. Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, and it is commonly used to give chocolate and candies a shiny finish. Additionally, the Blueberry Flavoring Sauce contains Sodium Caseinate, a milk derivative often used as a non-vegan emulsifier.

🚫 Culprit Ingredients:

milkcreambutterwheyshellac

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, the Berry Almond Cake Bar is designed as an indulgent treat rather than a health food. The presence of High Fructose Corn Syrup and added sugars in the fruit toppings and frosting drives up the caloric density without providing significant fiber or protein to balance blood sugar levels.

While the almonds provide some healthy monounsaturated fats and Vitamin E, the overall profile is high in sugar and processed fats. The inclusion of Vegetable Shortening (containing Palm and Soybean oils) and Sunflower Oil contributes to the fat content. For those monitoring their intake, this bar should be viewed as a dessert, not a meal replacement. It fits within a standard diet as an occasional treat, but it does not offer the nutrient density required for a 'health bar' classification.