Is Pomegranate Fig Bar Made With Ancient Grains Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist looking at this label, the composition is impressive. The base relies on an ANCIENT GRAIN BLEND featuring tapioca, sorghum, teff, and amaranth flours. These are all excellent, naturally gluten-free vegan staples that provide a complex carbohydrate base without relying on refined white flour.

The sweetness and texture come from a combination of FIG PASTE, DATE PASTE, and CANE SUGAR. The fruit pastes are whole-food ingredients, contributing fiber and micronutrients. However, the CANE SUGAR is the primary flag in this analysis. Not all cane sugar is processed vegan; some facilities use bone char (charred animal bones) to filter and bleach the sugar crystals to make them white. Unless the package specifies 'organic' or 'unrefined' cane sugar, strict vegans often avoid it.

Fats and liquids are derived from CANOLA OIL, FLAX SEED MEAL, and ORANGE PULP. These are all plant-derived. The inclusion of ROLLED OATS adds a chewy texture and soluble fiber, though it is worth noting that oats are frequently cross-contaminated with wheat during harvesting. While this doesn't affect the vegan status, it is a concern for those with gluten sensitivities. Finally, the 100% ACAI POMEGRANATE JUICE CONCENTRATE provides the tart flavor profile without the use of artificial colors or high-fructose corn syrup.

Nutritional Value

Nutritionally, this bar is structured more like a mini-meal than a candy bar. The presence of flax seed meal and ancient grains pushes the protein and fiber content up, likely resulting in a lower glycemic impact compared to standard fruit snacks. The calorie density is moderate, driven by the fruit sugars and the canola oil.

The sugar content is the main watch-out. Between the cane sugar, brown rice syrup, and concentrated fruit juices, the total sugar grams will be significant. While these are better sources than artificial sweeteners, they still contribute a high percentage of the daily value. For a pre-workout snack, this is excellent fuel; for a sedentary lifestyle snack, the sugar load might be higher than desired.