ConsumerLab.com says nutrition bar labeling has improved.

Labeling on nutrition bars has become more accurate, according to a new report by ConsumerLab.com, White Plains, NY, which compared 20 protein, fiber, energy and whole food bars. Unlike tests in 2001 that found many undeclared carbohydrates along with mislabeled bars, and tests in 2005 that revealed incorrect labeling on three products, the latest evaluation showed no inaccuracies. However, ConsumerLab.com did find a wide range of nutritional content across the bars, creating the potential for consumer confusion, the report noted. For example, in some "protein" bars, more than half of fats are saturated. USDA recommends that less than one-third of fat in the diet should be saturated. In an effort to reduce calories, some bars contain many grams of sugar alcohols, such as maltitol and lactitol. While these provide far fewer calories than sugar, they can cause gas and discomfort. Consumerlab.com also cautions people who take vitamins or fortified products (such as fortified breakfast cereals) to be careful not to exceed tolerable levels. Young children should not be fed highly fortified bars, the group says.