Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds Cereal — DUMP

Munch or Dump rates Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds Cereal by Honey Bunches of Oats DUMP — score 20/90.

The honey-and-almond image is wholesome, but honey is the 15th ingredient and almonds a minor add-in. Underneath is a five-sweetener, artificially flavored, caramel- and annatto-colored flake cereal with over 18 ingredients. Real oats and almonds are present, but the sugar and additive load run the show.

Why this verdict

• Five sweetener sources: sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, malted corn/barley syrup and honey.
• Over 18 ingredients with added caramel color, annatto color and artificial flavor.
• The wholesome honey-and-almond branding masks an ultra-processed, multi-sugar cereal.
• Whole grain wheat, oats and almonds are present, but the additive and sugar load drive the verdict.

Ingredients (12)

• Corn (moderate) — Processed cereal grain, lead ingredient of the flakes.
• Whole Grain Wheat (safe) — Genuine whole grain.
• Sugar (caution) — The sole sweetener; present in dessert quantities.
• Whole grain rolled oats (safe) — Whole grain in the 'bunches'.
• brown sugar (caution) — Second sweetener source.
• Almonds (safe) — Real nuts, present in modest amount.
• CANOLA OIL (moderate) — Refined oil for the crunchy clusters.
• Corn Syrup (caution) — A second refined sweetener present in all four bars.
• Whey (from milk) (moderate) — Dairy protein; makes the product non-vegan and not dairy-free.
• honey (moderate) — Fifth sweetener; trace amount despite the name.
• caramel color (moderate) — Added coloring for appearance.
• Natural and Artificial Flavor (moderate) — Includes synthetic flavoring.