Is Ritebite MAX protein bar ultra-processed?
Yes, it's ultra-processed
- 1 Unprocessed
- 2 Kitchen staple
- 3 Processed
- 4 Ultra-processed
Signs of ultra-processing in its ingredients:
- 34 ingredients
- 6 additives
Less processed protein bars
Ingredients
Ultra-processing Processing
Protein Blend 30% (Soy Nuggets, Whey Protein (ultra-processing marker), Calcium Caseinate, Soy), Dietary Fiber 17% (Fructooligosacharide), Dark Compound No Added Sugar 19% (Maltitol (ultra-processing marker), Edible Vegetable Fat (processing marker), Cocoa Solids, Milk, Emulsifier (ultra-processing marker) (Soy Lecithin (ultra-processing marker))), Maltitol (ultra-processing marker), Cranberries 7%, Brown Rice Crispy, Rice Bran Oil (processing marker), Strawberry Preserve 6%, Rolled Oats 5.5%, Yogurt Powder Humectant (Glycerine (ultra-processing marker)), Flaxseeds, Emulsifier (ultra-processing marker) (Soy Lecithin (ultra-processing marker)), Soy Protein Isolate, Binding Agent (Guar Gum (ultra-processing marker)), Salt (processing marker), Citric Acid, Antioxidants (Vitamin C), Added Vitamins, Minerals
Additives: E322 Lecithins , E322i Lecithin , E330 Citric acid , E412 Guar gum , E422 Glycerol , E965 Maltitol
As written on the pack
Protein Blend (30%) (Soy Nuggets, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Soy Concentrate), Dietary Fiber (17%) (Fructooligosacharide), Dark Compound No Added Sugar (19%) (Maltitol, Edible Vegetable Fat (Hydrogenated). Cocoa Solids, Milk Solids, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin)), Maltitol, Cranberries (7%), Brown Rice Crispy, Rice Bran Oil. Strawberry Preserve (6%) (No Added Sugar), Whole Grain Rolled Oats (5.5%), Yogurt Powder Humectant (Glycerine), Flaxseeds, Emulsifier (Soy Lecithin), Soy Protein Isolate, Binding Agent (Guar Gum), Salt and Citric Acid. Antioxidants (Vitamin C), Added Vitamins and Minerals.
What makes it ultra-processed
Cosmetic additives
Added to change how the food looks, feels or tastes, not to keep it safe. A hallmark of ultra-processed food.
- E322 Lecithins Lecithins are fatty substances extracted mostly from soybeans, sunflower seeds or eggs, used as emulsifiers to keep fat and water mixed, for example in chocolate.
- E412 Guar gum Guar gum is a thickener ground from the seeds of the guar plant.
- E422 Glycerol Glycerol is a sweet-tasting liquid used to keep products moist and soft.
- E965 Maltitol Maltitol is a sugar alcohol made from starch, used as a sweetener in "no added sugar" sweets and chocolate.
- Emulsifier Emulsifiers keep fat and water from separating, giving products a smooth, stable texture over a long shelf life.
Substances rarely used in home kitchens
Refined or extracted in factories, such as syrups made from starch or isolated proteins. The other hallmark of ultra-processed food.
- Milk proteins Milk proteins are proteins separated from milk, such as caseinates and whey protein concentrates, added to adjust texture or raise protein content.
4 ingredients that would only make it processed
Kitchen staples like sugar, salt and oil. On their own they make a food processed, not ultra-processed.
- Salt Salt, added for taste and preservation.
- Vegetable fat Vegetable fats are oils that are solid at room temperature, such as palm or coconut fat.
- Vegetable oil Vegetable oils are pressed or extracted from seeds, nuts and fruits.
- Sweet snacks Products in the category "Sweet snacks" are at least group 3.
Among 426 protein bars
From least to most processed, this one ranks 247th. 93% of the protein bars here are ultra-processed.
About this information
- Data from this product on Open Food Facts (barcode 8906009532363, last edited 22 July 2026), available under the Open Database License. If something is wrong or the recipe has changed, you can correct it there.
- Photo: Open Food Facts contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0.
- The NOVA group is an automated estimate from crowdsourced data: a missing or mistyped ingredient can change it.
- General information, not medical or dietary advice. Check the pack if you have an allergy.