One Of The Most Polarizing Pumpkin Spice Products Is Back

There are two things that have caused much debate over the last few years: The proliferation of pumpkin spice in everything and the proliferation of protein in everything. And given that the food world loves a good old mashup and a combination of all that’s working into one hybrid product, it’s probably no surprise that those two elements have come together. Last year, a pumpkin spice protein bar hit the market, and the prophecy was fulfilled, whether anyone was really asking for it or not. Maybe they were? Who knows.

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Now, it’s back – but it’s arguably bringing a little bit of baggage with it. Let’s discuss.

David Pumpkin Spice Gold Bars

Yesterday, David Protein announced that it was bringing back its Pumpkin Spice Gold Bars this fall. First released in 2025, the brand’s pumpkin spice bars are (as is probably blindingly obvious) a fall exclusive, and combine pumpkin flavored dough with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, along with crisps and white chocolate-flavored chunks. David puts 28 grams of protein in each bar, and they’re totally sugar-free.

When these dropped last year, it’s fair to say they had a mixed response. There are plenty of reviews in praise of David’s pumpkin spice bars, with customers on its website saying that it’s their favorite flavor, and one person comparing it to a slice of pumpkin pie. Elsewhere, though, people were disappointed that David didn’t use real pumpkin in the recipe, and some folks took issue with the bar’s vaguely radioactive orange color. And more broadly, it and David Protein as a company were polarizing for a different reason altogether.

And What Reason Is That?

In 2025, David Protein acquired a foodtech firm called Epogee, which creates a fat-like ingredient called EPG. EPG emulates the texture and function of fat without many of its calories. Shortly after the acquisition, three Epogee customers brought a lawsuit against David Protein, claiming that it had made an artificial monopoly on EPG following their loss of access to the ingredient. The lawsuit sparked backlash against David Protein online, although in February 2026, the company received an initial victory in the case.

David Pumpkin Spice Gold Bars are available now on David’s website, and they can also be found in Walmart, Target, Kroger, and the Vitamin Shoppe. They will cost $29 for a 12-count box if buying them in bulk. The march of pumpkin spice is truly unstoppable.