Why do the bars contain palm kernel oil?
Coatings on nutrition bars require a saturated fat to remain solid at room temperature. A saturated fat has a semi-solid consistency while a mono- or poly-unsaturated fat is liquid at room temperature. This point makes it clear that using unsaturated fats to create a coating would be unmanageable. We use a small amount of palm kernel oil (2gm) to create a natural, stabilized one. The uncoated flavors of Balance bars also contain minute amounts of palm kernel oil (less than 0.5gm). It acts as a protective coating around certain vitamins and minerals so they do not oxidize or give the bars a “vitamin-like” taste.
