Are Tru Bars Processed? A Detailed Look at Ingredients and Manufacturing

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food Network, nearly all manufactured protein bars are considered ultra-processed foods. The question, "Are Tru Bars processed?", requires a deeper look into both their specific ingredients and the methods used to create them to understand where they fall on the processing spectrum.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the ingredients and manufacturing of Tru Bars, defining food processing levels, and comparing them to alternatives to determine their classification.

Key Points

Categorically Ultra-Processed: According to the NOVA classification, Tru Bars are ultra-processed due to their formulation of industrial ingredients like protein isolates.
Industrial Production: The bars are manufactured in factories using mixing, forming, and coating technologies, a key marker of ultra-processed food.
Processed Ingredients: While they contain some whole-food ingredients like almonds, they also use extensively processed components like tapioca fiber and protein isolates.
Not Necessarily 'Unhealthy': The ultra-processed classification does not automatically make the bars unhealthy, but it indicates the high degree of industrial modification involved.
Prioritize Whole Foods: Health experts recommend balancing the consumption of supplemental protein products like Tru Bars with whole food sources for a more nutrient-dense diet.
Clean Label vs. Ultra-Processed: A 'clean label' and the removal of seed oils address some health concerns, but do not change the product's fundamental ultra-processed classification.

Defining Processed and Ultra-Processed Foods

Understanding whether Tru Bars are processed starts with defining what 'processed' means. Food is processed when it is altered from its natural state, which can range from minimal to extensive. The NOVA classification system, widely used to categorize foods by their degree of processing, divides food into four groups:

Group 1: Unprocessed or minimally processed foods. These are foods that have been altered minimally, such as by washing, freezing, or pasteurization, but contain no added ingredients. Examples include fresh fruits, nuts, and pasteurized milk.
Group 2: Processed culinary ingredients. These are ingredients derived from Group 1 foods through processes like pressing, milling, or refining. They are not meant to be eaten alone but are used in food preparation. Examples include oils, sugar, and salt.
Group 3: Processed foods. These are simple products made by combining Group 1 and Group 2 items. Examples include canned vegetables, fresh bread (with few ingredients), and cheese.
Group 4: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs). These are industrial formulations typically made with five or more ingredients and often contain substances not commonly used in home cooking, such as protein isolates, hydrogenated fats, emulsifiers, and flavors. They are designed for convenience and palatability. Protein bars, like many mass-produced snack foods, fall into this category.

Are Tru Bars Ultra-Processed?

Based on the NOVA classification, Tru Bars meet the criteria for being ultra-processed. While Tru Bar markets itself with clean ingredients and avoids seed oils, its manufacturing process and ingredient list place it in Group 4.

Analysis of Tru Bar's Ingredients and Processing

Let's break down a typical Tru Bar ingredient list, such as the Mint To Be Chip flavor, to see the processing level:

Tapioca fiber and cassava blend: This is a highly processed ingredient. While it originates from the cassava root, it has been refined to produce a fibrous blend that acts as a binder and source of fiber.
Plant-fueled protein blend (brown rice protein, organic pea protein): Protein powders like these are created by processing whole foods to isolate the protein content. This is a key characteristic of ultra-processed foods.
Organic cane sugar: While a more natural sweetener than high-fructose corn syrup, refined cane sugar is still a processed ingredient and added sugar.
RSPO palm oil: This is a processed fat used for texture and shelf-life, another common component of UPFs.
Natural flavors, sunflower lecithin, sea salt: These are functional additives used to improve taste, texture, and stability, further cementing the ultra-processed classification.

While Tru Bar's move to remove inflammatory seed oils was a positive step, and it avoids artificial sweeteners and soy, the overall formulation and industrial production process define it as ultra-processed.

How Tru Bar is Made

Commercial protein bars are typically made through an industrial process, not unlike other ultra-processed foods. While Tru Bar's website doesn't detail their specific method, common protein bar manufacturing involves:

Mixing dry ingredients (protein powder, fiber) and wet ingredients (binders, fats).
Extruding or pressing the mixture into slabs.
Cutting the slabs into individual bars.
Adding a coating or topping.
Packaging the finished bars for a long shelf-life.

This extensive manufacturing is in stark contrast to the simple cold-pressed methods used for some minimally processed whole-food bars.

Comparison: Tru Bar vs. Alternatives

To better understand the processing level, here is a comparison table:


Feature	Tru Bar	RXBAR	Homemade Bar	Raw Ingredients
Processing Level	Ultra-Processed	Minimally-to-Processed	Minimally Processed	Unprocessed
Protein Source	Pea & Brown Rice Isolate	Egg whites, Nuts	Protein powder (optional), Nuts	Whole Foods
Sweeteners	Organic Cane Sugar	Dates, Fruits	Honey, Dates	Whole Fruits, Dates
Fats	RSPO Palm Oil, Nut Butters	Nuts	Nut Butters	Nuts, Seeds
Binders	Tapioca blend	Dates	Dates, Honey	Dates, Honey
Additives	Natural flavors, Lecithin	Natural flavors (minor concern)	None	None
Ingredient Count	5+	~3-6 simple ingredients	Customizable	N/A

Reading Labels to Identify Processing

For consumers, identifying ultra-processed foods involves reading the ingredients list and looking for certain red flags.

Look for isolates: Ingredients like 'brown rice protein concentrate' or 'pea protein isolate' are a strong indicator of extensive processing.
Count the ingredients: A long list of unfamiliar ingredients often signifies a high degree of processing.
Spot additives: Names like 'lecithin' (emulsifier), 'natural flavors,' and various preservatives, binders, or thickeners are hallmarks of ultra-processed products.
Recognize sugar sources: Added sugars can come from many sources beyond just 'sugar,' such as cane sugar, syrups, or juice concentrates.

While Tru Bars do contain ingredients that are minimally processed, such as almonds, the combination of multiple processed ingredients like protein isolates, tapioca blends, and cane sugar places them squarely in the ultra-processed category.

Conclusion

Yes, Tru Bars are processed, specifically classified as ultra-processed under the widely-used NOVA system. While the brand emphasizes a "clean label" and has removed seed oils, its ingredient list contains protein isolates and other industrially modified substances that place it in the most processed category. This doesn't inherently make them unhealthy, and they can be a convenient source of protein, but consumers should be aware of what they are eating. Ultimately, consuming ultra-processed foods should be balanced with a diet rich in minimally processed whole foods, as recommended by dietitians. Reading labels and understanding food processing levels is key to making informed dietary choices.

The best ways to identify processed foods - Harvard Health

Frequently Asked Questions

A protein bar is considered processed because its raw ingredients (like pea and brown rice) are modified into a new product through industrial techniques involving multiple steps like isolation, mixing, forming, and packaging.

Tru Bar products are vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO, and the company has removed seed oils from its recipe. However, ingredients like "natural flavors" are still industrially derived additives.

Look for a long list of ingredients, especially those not commonly found in a home kitchen, such as protein isolates, various types of gums, emulsifiers, and 'natural flavors.' A high number of ingredients is a good indicator.

An RXBAR is generally considered less processed than a Tru Bar due to its shorter ingredient list, which typically consists of simpler, whole-food components like egg whites, nuts, and dates. However, even RXBARs undergo some processing during manufacturing.

Most commercially mass-produced protein bars are ultra-processed. A very short ingredient list and a cold-pressed manufacturing process may indicate minimal processing, but industrial processing is involved in nearly all manufactured bars.

Yes, but in moderation. While many ultra-processed foods are high in salt, sugar, and fat, they can be included in a healthy diet when balanced with plenty of minimally processed, whole foods like fruits and vegetables.

Minimally processed bars, often made from simple whole-food ingredients, provide nutrients in a form that is more easily recognized and absorbed by the body. They typically have a lower glycemic index, providing more sustained energy without the sugar crash.