'Health' cereal bars not so healthy

Many cereal bars, which are believed by many to be a healthy eating option, may not be so healthy after all, according to a new UK survey.

The study, conducted by the consumer magazine Which?, found that many of these bars contain very high rates of fat and sugar.

It was found that one popular bar, Nutri-Grain Elevenses, contained nearly four teaspoons of sugar, which is more than the amount of sugar in a small 150ml can of cola or a glazed doughnut, and 20% of the daily recommended sugar allowance.

The Tracker Roasted Nut bar comprised nearly one third fat. Some of this is accounted for by the nuts it contains, but the ingredients also contain vegetable fat and harmful hydrogenated fats, according to Which?

Which? found that all but one of 30 bars in the study had high sugar levels. It was also found that six of the seven popular cereal bars marketed for children had high saturated fat levels.

Among the healthier bars in the survey were The Nakd Apple Pie and Alpen Light Apple and Sultana.

However, Kellogg's claimed its Nutri-Grain ­Elevenses bar was never marketed as a cereal bar. It was baked like a cake and marketed as a mid-morning snack, the company said.

[Posted: Sun 19/08/2012]