Lärabar is a brand of energy bars produced by General Mills. The bars come in a variety of flavors such as apple pie, carrot cake, cinnamon roll, and mint chip brownie.[1]
History
Lärabar was created by Denver native Lara Merriken, who was looking to make a "very healthy product that tasted delicious".[2][3] According to the General Mills website, Merriken's inspiration for the snack occurred during a hiking trip in 2000 through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.[4] As she was running down the mountain, she was inspired to create a food bar that was made out of only fruits, nuts and spices.[5] The umlaut on the ä is decorative.[6][7]
The bars were first introduced for sale in the United States on April 14, 2003. The original flavors were cherry pie, apple pie, cashew cookie, banana bread, and chocolate coconut chew.[8]
In 2008, General Mills acquired the original producer of Lärabar, Humm Foods.[9] The product line has been expanded to more than 30 varieties, including high-protein bars and bars for children.[10]
In 2019, the Lärabar range launched in the United Kingdom.[11]
Reviews
An April 2007 review in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette praised Lärabar, writing "The bar is moist and chewy, tart and tasty. None of the medicinal tastes of other protein bars."[12] The bar's "authentic" taste and use as a breakfast meal have also been complimented.[13]
Recalls
In January 2009, General Mills voluntarily recalled peanut butter cookie flavor Lärabar for fear of salmonella contamination. No illnesses were reported.[14][15]
External links
References
- Lärabar-Our Products www.Larabar.com, retrieved June 20, 2019^
- LÄRABAR - About - History - Founder, Lara Merriken larabar.com, retrieved June 16, 2015^
- Guy Raz. LÄRABAR: Lara Merriken How I Built This, NPR.org, 28 October 2019^
- General Mills: Lärabar organic-natural brand GeneralMills.com, retrieved January 23, 2018^
- How One Hike Led To The Massive Success Of LARABAR The Huffington Post, December 18, 2013, retrieved June 16, 2015^
- Lärabar. The umlaut was added for fun - it's decorative 2014-10-15, retrieved 2019-11-21^
- Rachel Dix Bishop. Building Brands - Lärabar Trademarkology, Stites & Harbison, 2018-09-04, retrieved 2019-11-21^
- LÄRABAR – Our Story www.Larabar.com, retrieved January 23, 2018^
- Joyzelle Davis. General Mills to buy local Larabar maker Rocky Mountain News, June 10, 2008, retrieved March 21, 2017^
- Janet Forgrieve. How LÄRABAR Grew By Keeping It Simple Forbes, 23 July 2019^
- Popular US vegan snack brand LÄRABAR is launching in the UK veganfoodandliving.co, 10 January 2019, retrieved January 10, 2019^
- Elizabeth Downer. Fresh Find: Larabar Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 19, 2007, retrieved October 21, 2009^
- Fauzia Arain. Shelf Life Chicago Tribune, January 6, 2011, retrieved January 19, 2011^
- Tenzin Pema. UPDATE 1-General Mills recalls 2 peanut butter-flavored products Forbes, January 19, 2009, retrieved October 21, 2009^
- General Mills: One of the World's largest food Companies GeneralMills.com, retrieved January 23, 2018^