Is Raspberry Fig Bar Made With Ancient Grains Halal?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look at ingredients through a lens of sourcing and processing. When analyzing this Raspberry Fig Bar, the base ingredients are excellent from a dietary standpoint. The primary binders and flours are Brown Rice Flour and Gluten Free Five Grain Flour (Amaranth, Quinoa, Millet, Sorghum, Teff). These are plant-based and naturally Halal. The sweetness comes from Brown Rice Syrup, Cane Sugar, and fruit pastes like Fig Paste and Date Paste. None of these pose a Halal concern.

However, the potential issue lies in the Natural Flavor. In the food industry, 'Natural Flavor' can be derived from both plant and animal sources. While it is most often fruit or spice extracts in a fruit bar, it can occasionally contain alcohol as a solvent or animal-derived enzymes. Because the manufacturer does not specify the exact source of this flavor, the product falls into the 'MAYBE' category until you contact the company for specific sourcing details.

It is also worth noting that the bar contains Canola Oil and Glycerin. Glycerin is often plant-derived (vegetable glycerin) in modern snack bars, but it can be animal-derived. Like the natural flavor, this requires manufacturer confirmation to be 100% certain.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this bar is designed as a dense energy source. The Gluten Free Five Grain Flour and Flaxseed provide a decent profile of fiber and essential amino acids. It is a much better choice than a standard candy bar because it utilizes whole grains and fruit pastes rather than refined white flour and high-fructose corn syrup.

Regarding caloric density, you can expect roughly 140-160 calories per bar, depending on the specific weight. The sugar content is moderate, hovering around 12-15 grams per serving, derived largely from the fruit jams and syrups. While it fits well into an active lifestyle or a diet requiring gluten-free options, it is not necessarily a 'low sugar' snack. If you are strictly monitoring sugar intake for weight loss, this bar should be treated as a treat rather than a staple.