Is Peanuts, Dark Chocolate Flavored & Almonds Chewy Bars Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a processed snack is kosher, we look for hidden animal products and specific processing aids. The primary ingredients in this bar are PEANUTS and ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN, both of which are inherently kosher and pareve (neutral). The binding agents, such as GUM ARABIC and TAPIOCA STARCH, are plant-derived and pose no issues.

The DARK CHOCOLATE FLAVORED COATING is where scrutiny is often required. However, the fat source here is PALM KERNEL OIL and the milk component is WHOLE MILK POWDER. Since the milk is cow-derived and there is no mention of meat ingredients, the combination is permissible under kosher dietary laws, provided the milk is standard. Additionally, the NATURAL FLAVOR listed is noted to contain peanuts, but there are no warnings regarding alcohol or animal-based flavor enhancers.

Finally, additives like FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES (prebiotic fiber), CHICORY ROOT INULIN, and MALTODEXTRIN are all derived from vegetables or corn. The color agents, CARAMEL and ANNATTO, are synthetic or plant-based colorants commonly accepted in kosher food production. With no gelatin, shellac, or non-kosher enzymes detected, this product passes the kosher test.

Nutritional Value

While this bar is kosher, it is also energy-dense. A single bar typically contains a significant amount of calories derived primarily from PEANUTS and PALM KERNEL OIL. The inclusion of CORN SYRUP and SUGAR in the coating contributes to the total carbohydrate count, making this a quick source of energy rather than a slow-digesting meal replacement.

On the positive side, the high concentration of ISOLATED SOY PROTEIN and ALMONDS provides a respectable amount of protein, which is excellent for muscle recovery or satiety. However, consumers watching their sugar intake should note that the DARK CHOCOLATE FLAVORED COATING adds empty calories. It fits into a diet as an occasional treat, but relying on it for daily weight loss goals might be counterproductive due to the sugar and saturated fat content from the palm kernel oil.