Reviews and Information for Hershey's

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Is Hershey's Special Dark better than other dark chocolate bars or cocoa powders?

Find out if Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate bar is better than other dark chocolate bars or cocoa powders, including flavanol content, contamination with lead or cadmium and other tests of quality. ConsumerLab.com's answer explains.

Product Review

Dark Chocolates, Cocoa & Cacao Powders, Nibs, and Supplements Review -- Sources of Flavanols

Is Your Chocolate or Cocoa Healthful or Toxic? Find the Best Dark Chocolate, Cocoa Powder and Cocoa Supplements Based On Our Tests.

News Release

December 16, 2022

Is Your Chocolate or Cocoa Healthful or Toxic? ConsumerLab Finds Major Differences Among Products.

White Plains, New York, December 16, 2022 — Although dark chocolate and cocoa can be good sources of potentially heart-healthy, antioxidant flavanols, they can also be contaminated with toxic heavy metals such as cadmium and lead – and consumers can’t judge products from their labels.

News Release

January 23, 2020

We Found the Best Dark Chocolates and Cocoas With the Least Contamination

White Plains, New York, January 23, 2020 — Dark chocolate and cocoa contain antioxidant flavanols that may be good for the heart and mind, but they can also contain high levels of the heavy metal cadmium, which is toxic to kidneys and can soften bones.

News Release

July 19, 2017

New Tests Reveal Whether Dark Chocolates and Cocoas Are Toxic or Healthful

White Plains, New York, July 19, 2017 — Dark chocolates and cocoa may contain dangerously high levels of the heavy metal cadmium, a kidney toxin, according to recent tests conducted by ConsumerLab.com, an independent evaluator of health and nutrition products.

News Release

November 25, 2014

You Can't Judge a Dark Chocolate Bar by Its Label, According to Tests by ConsumerLab.com -- Amounts of Cocoa Flavanols Vary Widely Among Popular Brands of Chocolate

White Plains, New York, November 25, 2014 — Which dark chocolates provide the most cocoa flavanols — natural antioxidants associated with better blood flow and memory? Recent tests by ConsumerLab.

News Release

August 05, 2014

ConsumerLab.com Finds Popular Cocoa Powders Contaminated; High Concentrations of Cadmium Raise Concern

White Plains, New York, August 5, 2014 — Following up on its discovery in May of high levels of the toxic metal cadmium in several cocoa-based products, ConsumerLab.com recently tested additional, popular cocoa products sold in the U.S. to assess the extent of the problem.

News Release

May 21, 2014

Your Cocoa May Be Contaminated! ConsumerLab.com Reveals What’s Really in Cocoa and Chocolate Products

White Plains, New York, May 21, 2014 [See related new release on 8/5/14] — Cocoa powders, dark chocolates, and other products made from cacao beans can be rich in flavanols -- which may help with blood flow, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Recalls & Warnings

March 30, 2016

Toxins in Chocolate

On March 23, 2016, As You Sow, a consumer health watchdog group based in California, released results showing that 35 of 50 chocolate products it tested, including chocolate bunnies and eggs, expose consumers to lead and cadmium above levels set by California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic ...