are LaraBars raw?

[kathy8429]

I saw a post about carrying these with you. Are they raw? Thanks

[bunny_rescuer]

They are mostly raw. If it has cocoa powder or nuts, I think those are roasted
http://www.larabar.com/food/about-larabar

[Jehote]

Yes and soooo good and simple! The peanut butter cookie are awesome!!!!

[juliebove]

Not necessarily. Some are not and will say so on them. Even of those that are purported to be raw, some here believe they are not. Do they not use a lot of almonds in them? If so, those almonds are probably not really raw.

[rkk]

What is meant by raw?
Raw means uncooked food in its real, most natural form. At LÄRABAR, we use ingredients dehydrated below 118 degrees, which we consider to be raw. In addition, our ingredients do not exceed 118 degrees in the production of LÄRABAR.

Are cashews truly raw?
Heat steaming is often used to extract the cashew nut from the fruit of the tree. It's not known for certain whether or not the nut is actually heated during the process. Regardless, we feel that cashews are loaded with vitamins and minerals and fit into a healthy diet.

Does LÄRABAR use raw cocoa?
LÄRABAR does not use raw cocoa powder at this time. Because of LÄRABAR's unique flavor profile as well as the challenge of finding a quality and consistent supply, we have chosen to use cocoa powder from a roasted cocoa bean. We feel the health benefits, including high antioxidant content, far outweigh the fact that the cocoa has been heated.

Where does the cocoa in LÄRABAR come from?
We source our cocoa from farmers and communities that support sustainability and Fair Trade, which ensures workers are treated with dignity and protects against forced labor and child labor abuses.

How can a raw product have such a long shelf life?
We use a multi-layer package that keeps out UV light and oxygen, which, in turn, maintains freshness without the use of preservatives.

Does LÄRABAR contain peanuts?
We currently make one product that contains peanuts: LÄRABAR Peanut Butter Cookie. We take the peanut allergen issue very seriously and have made certain that all LÄRABAR products containing peanuts are made in a dedicated manufacturing facility. This means that the product containing peanuts do not come into contact with our other LÄRABAR products, thus there is no possibility of cross contamination in the manufacturing process. While we manufacture our peanut flavor in a dedicated manufacturing facility, we cannot guarantee that any of our ingredients have not come in contact with peanuts prior to reaching our manufacturing facility or after they have been shipped.

Are the peanuts in LÄRABAR Peanut Butter Cookie roasted? What percentage of this flavor is raw?
Yes, we use roasted peanuts in Peanut Butter Cookie because we feel the taste is more appealing. For people who follow a strict raw food diet, the Peanut Butter flavor is 60% raw which is also noted on our packaging.

What is extra virgin coconut oil?
Extra virgin coconut oil is a tropical oil that is extracted using a cold pressed method from fresh coconuts.

What is the lemon juice concentrate and lemon flavor used in the LÄRABAR Lemon Bar?
The lemon juice concentrate we use is made from pure lemon juice and lemon pulp, which is flash pasteurized to ensure it is safe to consume. The lemon flavor we use is made from a cold press process during which the fruit skin yields pure essential oil.

[rkk]

I find it a bit annoying that they call the bar raw, and then go on to justify why they used cooked ingredients in their bar (saying that it's still nutritious, tastes better, etc) - as though that somehow makes their using the term 'raw' okay. Rather than calling the bar 'raw', they should simply label the package stating that it contains 'primarily' raw ingredients. And peanuts should certainly be labeled as 'roasted peanuts'.

Edit: Just noticed they said they labeled the peanut butter one as 60% raw. I'll have to check my labels next time I think about buying one of these. Though with all their justifications and excuses, I'll be more likely to pick up another brand of raw bar next time I'm at the health food store.... and will only buy a Larabar if I'm at a conventional store and no other raw bar is available.

[Jehote]

And they taste good to! :)
Matthew

[meow]

Thanks for the info! I've been wondering if they're truly raw, too. I am very disappointed that they use roasted cacao in the chocolate coconut bars- it seems like it'd be just as easy and probably the same amount of money to use raw cacao powder! But I have had my doubts that the almonds they contain are actually raw anyway, so I'll finish the two bars I have and then not buy them anymore. It's too bad we can't just trust companies who sell "raw" foods, but everyone is just out to make money I guess!

[mstrish]

I have read on one of the boxes and it said 90% raw.

[rawlight]

I have read on one of the boxes and it said 90% raw.

Right. Check the wrapper on the various bars. Some say 100% raw, some 90%.

[ReneeH]

Raw vegans are stupid! Hahahahahahahahaha

I just don't get this.... :confused:

Ummmm....why exactly are you here? You have had this same response to several threads... I for one am tired of seeing you post this. Please stop. Thank you...

[raw_danceruk]

IMO junk food

processed, heated... better to go for something fresh

in a pinch it isnt a big deal to just go without until fresh food is available!

[Carol the Dabbler]

I just spoke with a very pleasant gentleman in the Larabars customer service department. His information sheet did not specify where their almonds are grown, but it did describe them as "steam processed."

Virtually all of the Larabar flavors that the labels describe as "raw" (rather than merely "x% raw") contain almonds and/or cashews.

It's hard enough to be 100% raw even when you really intend to be, and it's up to each of us to decide just where to draw the line. As for me and my house, I think we'll stop buying Larabars.

[kelane]

where can you buy lara bars?

[hapahaole]

where can you buy lara bars?

Costco has them for pretty cheap. Otherwise, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, amazon.com have them.

[Raw Angel Mom]

They originally were but they have been bought by a corporation.

So no they aren't raw :( But, if they help you to transition with raw food, their content in term of quality of ingedient are a better alternative then most bars that aren't raw.

I used to buy them at first, now i just wouldn't be able to digest them. At the time that i was eating them, they gave me pimples. Right then, it was a huge hint for me to stay away from these bars.

GoRaw product are sprouted nuts/seeds/grains and truly raw. I love everything they make especially theire ginger flax seed crackers, so addictive, lol....This is what i buy now beside Alissa's product.

[icebox326]

I'm so disappointed that Larabars aren't raw, but I did find a good raw bar at my local health foods store. It's called "Raw Revolution Organic Live Food Bar." The cashew flavor says it's 100% raw. The ingredients include cashew, date, agave nectar, almond, and sprouted flax seed. If you have the time, you could always make your own bars using a mix of nuts and dates in a food processor. It will save money, but it is time consuming.

[sport]

Most of the lara bars are raw. They state it on the wrapper if they are not.

[MysticTree]

Most of the lara bars are raw. They state it on the wrapper if they are not.

if you visit the website you get this list as the qualities of larabars


• WHAT ARE THE QUALITY STANDARDS FOR JŎCALAT INGREDIENTS?Organic
Fair Trade Certified™ Cocoa
No added sugars or sweeteners
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Soy Free
Vegan
Kosher
Non-GMO
No added sulfites
No preservatives, fillers, or colorings

It doesn't list raw anywhere in that list

http://www.larabar.com/faqs/view-all

T (http://www.larabar.com/faqs/view-all)hey also say


RAW DIET LÄRABAR products are made by a simple process in which fruit, nuts, and spices are ground and mixed together. They are not baked or cooked. We use simple ingredients, as close to their natural state as possible. Practitioners of the Raw Diet should be aware that:

Roasted peanuts are used in LÄRABAR's Peanut Butter & Jelly, Peanut Butter Cookie, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavor varieties;
Steamed cashews are used in our Cinnamon Roll, Cashew Cookies, Tropical Fruit Tart, Lemon Bar, Key Lime Pie ad Coconut Cream Pie varieties; and
Roasted cocoa powder is used in Chocolate Chip Brownie and Chocolate Coconut Chew flavor varieties, and in all of our JŎCALAT flavors.


http://www.larabar.com/about/special-diets

[sport]

When you pick up a lara bar in the store the wrapper on some of then clearly state 85% raw or 95% raw. If it does not state this then it is supposed to be 100% raw.

[MysticTree]

it is strange that their website does not reinforce this by specifically stating this. I don't know how recent the buy-out was but if it's very recent then maybe the UK/Europe/Ireland still has old stock in the shops

[Carol the Dabbler]

Icebox and all --

When a label lists an ingredient as "raw," that all too often means "legally raw," which is to say, "not heated quite high enough to qualify as pasteurized or roasted." For example, almonds can be listed as "raw" even if they've been "steam processed" (see my post near bottom of previous page) and most cashews have been heat treated to help get them out of the shell (see rkk's lengthy post near top of previous page).

"Raw" has become such a selling point that it is in danger of becoming meaningless hype, like "natural." Look for companies that describe their almonds and/or cashews as "really raw" or "truly raw," or that specify what temperature they were processed at.

Note for raw ovo-lacto's: The same thing applies to "raw" cheeses.

[MysticTree]

As far as I am aware "raw" isn't defined in food law. Not here anyway.

[sport]

it is strange that their website does not reinforce this by specifically stating this. I don't know how recent the buy-out was but if it's very recent then maybe the UK/Europe/Ireland still has old stock in the shops
You can no longer buy them in Europe. They have been banned from the import list for at least 3 years now.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Keep in mind also, even they say raw, it doesn't mean it is raw on any product because of the way the law are made in the US to protect the corporation versus customer.

I find it is best, to go with dry fruits or dates as an emergency snack or simply find a recipe where you can make your own bar with soaked nuts.

These bars are more for people that do cook food, it is a better alternative then a candy loaded with white sugar, chemical and preservative. For someone that do raw food, this larabar is more like a junk food to us and compromise our effort to heal, to rejuvenate etc... They are acid forming as many snacks, it is best to make our own.

All the best

[Carol the Dabbler]

Perhaps "law" is the wrong term. Here in the US, it's probably the Food & Drug Administration's truth-in-labeling regulations. I suspect there's something equivalent in other countries, but even if there isn't, you're still dealing with FDA regulations whenever you buy American-made products. In any case, it is perfectly legal here to label certain foods as "raw" even if they've been heated enough to destroy the enzymes. I don't believe that there is any actual intent to defraud the consumer, it's just that "raw" means different things to different people, and the regulations aren't made by raw fooders!

Since we raw fooders have our own definition of "raw," it's up to us to be sure that we understand what we're buying. Caveat emptor!

[MysticTree]

You can no longer buy them in Europe. They have been banned from the import list for at least 3 years now.

Fascinating ... why?
You may have realised I am not a bar eater from the fact that I didn't know this!

[maggiesdaddy]

Can you give a link to the banned import list? I have searched and searched (okay, for only like 30 minutes) online and cannot find anything saying that they are banned from import in Europe. I did find something that said that forest berries are banned from import from the US to Europe.

I am just interested in finding the list and seeing what else is on there and why.

[sport]

http://www.naturallygoodfood.co.uk/news/Larabar_UK_Mailorder_Service
I do not have a list but when I bought them it was from these guys and at one point they told me that they were not allowed to get them any more so I bought 4 boxes and put them in the freezer. That was at least 3 years ago.
I since tried to get them from Amazon in the US (they send me other things) but they were not allowed to send them so I gave up. A friend sent me 2 boxes but paid 40 dollars to mail them.

[maggiesdaddy]

Thanks! That is so interesting. I wonder why ....

[maggiesdaddy]

Have you tried to make your own Lara Bars?

[maggiesdaddy]

Message Deleted ... It's not worth it.

[Leamur]

General Mills bought LaraBar in 2008 or 2009 and since then they have changed a lot of things including taking "Raw" off of the package and out of the product. I used to buy hundreds of dollars worth of LaraBars and I got everyone I know addicted to them. I do not eat them anymore, but I make my own raw rendition at home.

"RAW DIET Many raw foodists enjoy our products as part of their diet. However, because there is no consistent definition for what can be labeled as “raw,” we have chosen to take the word “raw” off our label. LARABAR products are made by a simple process in which primarily fruit, nuts, and spices are ground and mixed together. They are not baked or cooked. We use simple ingredients, as close to their natural state as possible. Practitioners of the Raw Diet should be aware that due to our own internal safety standards all of our nut and cocoa ingredients are steamed or roasted and our few juice concentrates are pasteurized."

[Carol the Dabbler]

... all of our nut and cocoa ingredients are steamed or roasted and our few juice concentrates are pasteurized."

Both of the dehydrators I own recommend drying fruit at 135 degrees, so I doubt that most commercially-available dried fruit is raw, either. What does that leave that might actually be raw in Larabars? The spices?

[Juicerguy]

This is kind of disappointing...I am glad I know the actual lowdown though now about these bars. I really like these bars and buy them all the time. I am not raw yet, but my girlfriend and I are going to transition into a raw diet. We are both really excited about doing this and I was also happy that Lara bars might still fit into our new diet... Well I am glad to know the truth...Also wow really??? General Mills bought them out??? That really sucks as well...LOL. The whole time I was thinking it was still some independently owned company. I really read labels well also...I guess I just never really dug into much more than the ingredient label on these... Thanks for the good information people!

[Traceyraw]

Juicerguy. they used to say raw on the package but that has been removed. I was so upset myself when they changed the packaging. Now I buy dates pop a raw almond in the middle and its pretty good and simple. If you like them you can make something similar. Put your dates in a food processor chop your nuts. Mix well. Pad out and cut into squares. If you soak the nuts and dates you would probably have to dehydrate them.

[walnutty]

Raw nuts, dates and dried fruit (which you can get raw) = Larabars! Throw in food processor and process to your desired texture and press into a glass baking dish lined with wax paper or coated with coconut oil. Put into refrigerator to harden and cut into bar shapes with a sharp knife. Super easy!

[Cruditas]

Raw Revolution bars are raw and are actually really good. Maybe subsitute for the Lara bars

[Hurraw]

I still think I'll have them once in a while. I too noticed that their packaging no longer reads "raw." I'm 100% raw so I think 99% raw will be just fine. Also, some years ago, when they first came out, i sent them a letter telling them they were a God Send. Bad idea!!! They sent me a whole case of Lara bars and I couldn't stop eating them.