CLIF BARs are energy bars that are an all-natural, great-tasting, convenient source of energy for any activity...

Clif Bars was one of the stands at this year's NEC Outdoors Show that was handing out free samples.  Normally at a large show like this you take a sample, taste it and move on but something grabbed me this time about this product and I was curious to find out more.

Clif Bars are very popular in the USA and have been produced there since 1992.  The bars were brought to the UK a few years ago but due to the rapid expansion in the USA, the brand was never promoted successfully in the UK.  That has changed now and importers 2Pure from Edinburgh are marketing the Clif bar at outdoors and sports events all over the UK.

What is different about these energy bars compared to the multitudes of other cereal type bars on the market?  Well, from a personal point of view, the taste is something that makes the Clif bar a very pleasant way of getting a quick dose of energy food.  Unlike a lot of energy bars, the Clif bar is very tasty and has good, natural flavours being made from all natural ingredients.  The bars come in three flavours at the moment these being Oatmeal, Raisin and Walnut, Chocolate Chip and Carrot Cake.

If you are taking part in strenuous sports or are out for a long day's ride, paddle or hike, the Clif bar is a great way to get a burst of energy without rotting your teeth or taking in large amounts of sugar.

Here's a list of FAQs about Clif Bars from the manufacturer:

What are CLIF BARs?      

CLIF BARs energy bars are an all-natural, great-tasting, convenient source of energy for any activity.  They’re a mix of carbohydrates, protein and fiber, made with organic oats and soybeans, no trans fats, and 23 vitamins & minerals.  The company was founded in 1992 and is still privately owned in Berkeley, CA.  Read about our story on the back of our wrappers.

When should I eat a CLIF BAR?

Eat a CLIF BAR 1 – 2 hours before a workout or race, and you’ll avoid the sugar high and crash associated with refined ingredients and sweeteners. A CLIF BAR delivers the boost you need without unwanted crash and burn. What other products does your company make?

CLIF SHOT (energy gel), LUNA Bar (women’s nutrition), CLIF Builder’s Bar (protein bar), CLIF MOJO Bar (salty and sweet), CLIF ZBar (organic kids’ energy bar), and CLIF Nectar (organic fruit and nut bar).

Are there any new CLIF BAR flavors?

Yes, we recently introduced Oatmeal Raisin Walnut and Banana Nut Bread.  Now there are 15 different flavors to choose from, plus 3 Seasonal ones, Caramel Apple Cobbler, Spiced Pumpkin Pie and Iced Gingerbread. 

Are CLIF BARs Organic Certified?

Yes, all flavors of CLIF BAR are “Made With 70% Organic Ingredients” and Certified by QAI (Quality Assurance International).

UK: we are in the process of applying for UK certification through DEFRA. Until then we cannot make the organic claim.

GOOGLE ADSENSE Can you eat CLIF BARs if you are allergic to nuts?

No! If you are allergic to seeds or nuts you should not eat CLIF BAR & Co. products. All CLIF BAR flavors may contain nuts or seeds and traces may be found in all bars.

Is there any caffeine in CLIF BARs?

Yes, there are 3-5 mgs of caffeine that comes naturally from the chocolate in the bar.

We also make two CLIF BARS with added caffeine in the form of green tea extract. Cool Mint Chocolate and the Peanut Toffee Buzz have “Contains Green Tea a Natural Source of Caffeine” on the front of the package and have 50 mg of caffeine from green tea extract.

Are CLIF BARs dairy free?

CLIF BAR & Co. specifies to our bakers that ingredients going into our CLIF BARs do not contain dairy. Trace amounts however, of dairy can appear despite our best ongoing quality control efforts.

For example, the chocolate chips that go into our products are non-dairy, but made on equipment that is also used to produce milk chocolate chips. This can result in trace amounts of milk protein showing up in the chocolate chips that go into our products. The Orthodox Union’s kosher certification mark of OUD as on our CLIF BAR package reflects the possibility that trace amounts of milk protein may appear in our products.

Are CLIF BARs kosher?

Yes, CLIF BARs are Kosher Dairy. There are no dairy products in our bars however, the vendor we purchase our non-dairy chocolate chips from makes chips containing dairy in the same building. This can result in trace amounts of milk protein showing up in the chocolate chips that go into our products.

We recently changed for OUD to Kof-K kosher certification.  Both OUD and Kof-K are strongly recognized in the Jewish community as the gold standard of kosher certification.  Our bakery primarily uses Kof-K as its certifying agent, so it made sense for us to switch all CLIF BAR & Co. products to Kof-K. 

Are there any animal products in CLIF BARs?

There are no ingredients derived from animals. 

Is there any gluten in your bars? What is gluten?

Yes, CLIF BARs contain gluten. Oats and barley malt contain a natural amount of gluten. Gluten is an elastic protein substance naturally occurring in most grains.

Look for our new CLIF Nectar – Organic Fruit & Nut Bars.  For those with food intolerances and allergies, these bars are made without soy, wheat, dairy or gluten.

Is CLIF BARs wheat free?

CLIF BAR & Co. specifies to our bakers that ingredients going into CLIF BAR do not contain wheat. Trace amounts however, of wheat can appear despite our best ongoing quality control efforts.

Although wheat is not an ingredient in CLIF BAR, oats are a main ingredient. The way oats, wheat, and other grains are grown, processed and transported may lead to minor "cross-contamination", meaning for example, that a truckload of oats may contain trace amounts of another grain or grains.

Is there any MSG in CLIF BARs?

There is no MSG in any CLIF BAR & Co. product or in any ingredients used in our bars.

Are the soybeans used in CLIF BAR & Co. products bio-engineered (GMO)?

The soybeans used in our products are not bio-engineered. We require our soybean suppliers to test for bio-engineered ingredients and to provide us with a written documentation to verify the soybeans are not bio-engineered. CLIF BAR & Co. also completes its own random testing at independent laboratories to assure the soy we purchase is non-bioengineered.

We strive toward having 100 percent non-bioengineered soy in our products, but certain factors remain beyond our control until more sensitive tests for detecting genetically modified ingredients are developed and our country improves its agricultural storage, shipping and handling practices. For example, contamination of a non-bioengineered soy crop may occur from something as simple as the residue in a truck bed that previously hauled genetically modified soy. This is virtually impossible to track and detect.

Others recognize our work on the bioengineering issue. Greenpeace includes CLIF BAR & Co. on its True Food Shopping List because we are taking appropriate measures to avoid ingredients from bio-engineered crops and have a company policy to avoid bio-engineered ingredients.

How much soy protein and isoflavones are in the bar?

All CLIF BARs are high in protein.  They range from 8-10 grams of soy protein and 9-16 milligrams of isoflavones. 

Can children eat CLIF BARs?

The vitamins & minerals in the bar formulated to the needs of adults. Children can eat a whole CLIF BAR about the age range of 9-13 years old, when their needs more closely resemble those of adults. Parents should use their best judgment.

Look for CLIF ZBar – Organic Whole Grain Baked Energy Bars.  They’re a CLIF BAR just for kids, designed to fuel their growing, active bodies.  The serving size and vitamins & minerals are about half of those in a CLIF BAR. 

Is a CLIF BAR a meal replacement?

CLIF BAR is not a meal replacement. CLIF BARS do not have enough calories in them to replace a whole meal by themselves. Having a CLIF BAR with a piece of fruit or yogurt would add to the calorie content and may hold you over a bit longer.