Barbara’s Bakery

CompanyWeetabix
Company TypeLion Capital
Rating
Organic StatusCaution: only 4 of 21 products are certified organic
Websitewww.barbaras.com
Total Score98

Barbara’s Bakery was founded in Northern California in 1971 by 17-year-old Barbara Jaffe. In 1986, Jaffe sold the company to Weetabix Food Co., a British cereal maker, which is owned by the investment firm, Lion Capital.

Weetabix Food Co. also owns the Alpen brand, a conventionally produced muesli labeled “natural” that’s found in many stores.

In 2007, 55% of Barbara’s Bakery cereal options offered through the largest organic foods distributor were certified organic, and one product was “made with organic ingredients.” In 2011, only 20% of Barbara Bakery’s products are certified organic.

In a move that’s likely to confuse consumers, Barbara’s Bakery has eliminated the USDA organic seal from the packaging of its organic products. With so many non-organic “natural” products, Barbara’s Bakery may not want to draw attention to the fact that the organic seal is now missing from so many of its products. Test results reveal that Barbara’s Bakery uses genetically engineered ingredients in its cereal.

CriteriaPoints
TOTAL (possible score is 700) 98
Percentage of the brand’s product line that is certified organic.
Organic Status of Cereal/Granola by Brand
19
Percentage of the parent company’s products that are certified organic.
Organic Commitment by Corporate Owner
25
Brand’s commitment to ensuring all cereals are non-GMO.
GMO Policy (By Brand, in Cereal/Granola)
10
Parent company’s commitment to ensuring all of its products are non-GMO.
GMO Policy by Corporate Owner
0
Brand’s commitment to ensuring that hexane is not present in its cereal and granola products.
Hexane (in cereal/granola products)
0
Brand’s commitment to ensuring that harmful synthetic agrichemicals where not used in the production of their cereal and granola products.
Agrichemical Use (by Brand, in Cereal/Granola Products)
19
Parent company’s commitment to ensuring that harmful synthetic agrichemicals where not used in the production of any of their products.
Agrichemical Use (by Corporate Owner)
25