Pampa Fruit & Grain Cereal Bars (Strawberry) — DUMP

Name: Pampa Fruit & Grain Cereal Bars (Strawberry)
Brand: Pampa

Munch or Dump rates Pampa Fruit & Grain Cereal Bars (Strawberry) by Pampa DUMP — score 20/90.

A breakfast bar that's really a candy in disguise: hydrogenated shortening, two corn syrups, and a stack of artificial dyes hide behind a wholesome 'Fruit & Grain' name.

Why this verdict

Hydrogenated vegetable shortening - a trans-fat source linked to heart disease
Sugar is ingredient #1, backed by high fructose corn syrup, glucose AND sucralose
Three artificial dyes (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) plus caramel color for fake fruit looks
Modified tapioca starch, carboxymethyl cellulose and sodium benzoate - classic ultra-processed filler stack
Real strawberry is a trace ingredient buried under sweeteners

Ingredients (14)

Sugar (moderate) — Added sugar sitting ahead of cocoa; the main flavor driver here.
High Fructose Corn Syrup (concerning) — A second refined sweetener stacked on the first; fructose load is linked to fatty liver and metabolic strain.
Hydrogenated vegetable shortening (soybean oil) (harmful) — A source of artificial trans fat, the worst fat for heart health.
Artificial colors (Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) (concerning) — Petroleum-derived dyes used to fake a fruit look; tied to hyperactivity in sensitive kids.
Glucose / sucralose (moderate) — Extra sweetener layers stacked on top of sugar and HFCS.
modified tapioca starch (moderate) — Industrially modified starch used as a texturizer; a marker of ultra-processing.
caramel color (moderate) — Cosmetic coloring with no nutritional value, can contain 4-MEI
Carboxymethyl cellulose / xanthan gum (moderate) — Industrial thickeners; emulsifiers that may disturb gut bacteria.
Sodium benzoate (preservative) (moderate) — Synthetic preservative; generally tolerated but a processing marker.
Artificial flavor (strawberry) (moderate) — Lab flavoring standing in for the trace amount of real fruit.
Oatmeal (safe) — Whole grain oats provide a little fiber - one of the few real positives.
Whole wheat flour / wheat bran (safe) — Some whole-grain content, but a minor part of the bar.
Strawberry puree / apple powder (safe) — Actual fruit, but buried far down the list behind the sweeteners.
Added vitamins & minerals (C, E, A, B-complex, iron, zinc) (safe) — Synthetic enrichment that lets the box claim nutrients; doesn't offset the sugar and trans fat.