# Hershey Special Dark Giant Bar > Health and ingredient intelligence for a real grocery product. Source: Supermarket Puzzle (Grocery Intelligence Index). Not a shop. ## Snapshot - **Brand:** HERSHEY'S - **Retailer listed:** Foodtown - **Category:** Snacks, Chips & Dips - **Size:** 7.56 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hersheys-hershey-special-dark-giant-bar-756-oz - **Slug:** `hersheys-hershey-special-dark-giant-bar-756-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains industrial ingredients (PGPR emulsifier, 'natural flavor'), alkalized cocoa and added sugar, and is manufactured with multiple processing steps and additives typical of ultra-processed foods. ## Review HERSHEY'S Special Dark Giant Bar is a mass-market dark chocolate candy bar presented as a generous, shareable treat. You'd typically find it in the candy and chocolate aisle alongside other mainstream chocolate bars and seasonal displays, and it often appears in endcap promotions near Halloween, Valentine’s Day and holiday baking sections. This product suits impulse buys and planned purchases for movie nights, road trips, party candy bowls, or to use as a convenient baking ingredient when you want chocolate pieces without chopping. As a long-standing Hershey product, it leans on nostalgia and broad mainstream appeal—positioned for adults who remember Hershey’s from childhood as well as parents buying for family occasions. Marketing emphasizes rich, “special dark” flavor as a slightly more grown-up alternative to milk chocolate, but the brand remains accessible rather than premium luxury. The label implies a simpler chocolate choice by calling out “special dark” and listing familiar ingredients, and it contains “natural flavor” in the ingredient list; there are no organic or specialty certifications and no kid-focused cartooning—branding is classic and straightforward. From a processing standpoint this is an industrially manufactured candy bar: sugar-sweetened, alkalized cocoa, and emulsifiers are used to tune texture and shelf life. Sensory notes: a firm snap when you break a square, a smooth, slightly waxy melt from cocoa butter and milk fat, and a sweet cocoa aroma. Packaging is a branded paper/foil wrapper sized for sharing, and rituals include snapping off pieces for road-snacking, melting into recipes, or dropping a square into a hot beverage for an easy indulgence. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 3.0 - **Servings per container:** 8 - **Calories:** 120 - **Total fat:** 8g (10% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 5g (25% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 5mg (2% DV) - **Sodium:** 0mg (0% DV) - **Total carbs:** 16g (6% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 14g - **Added sugars:** 14g (28% DV) - **Protein:** 1g ## Ingredients SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, COCOA BUTTER, MILK FAT, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, LECITHIN (SOY), PGPR, NATURAL FLAVOR. ## Flagged ingredients - **lecithin (soy)** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier ## Context tags - **Occasions:** movie-night, road-trip, holiday-baking - **Vibes:** nostalgic, indulgent, comforting ## FAQ ### Is the Special Dark Giant Bar healthy? Well, that depends on what you mean by 'healthy'! This bar has a decent amount of sugar—14 grams per serving—which can be a quick energy boost but is definitely on the sweeter side. If you're looking for a treat to enjoy in moderation, it's a fun option, but if you're after a snack packed with nutrients, you might want to explore other choices. ### Is the Special Dark Giant Bar vegan? Nope, this bar isn’t vegan-friendly. It contains milk fat, which is a dairy product, so if you’re avoiding animal products, you might want to skip this one. But hey, there are plenty of delicious vegan chocolate options out there! ### Is the Special Dark Giant Bar gluten-free? Yes, good news for gluten-sensitive folks! The Special Dark Giant Bar is gluten-free, so you can indulge without worrying about hidden gluten. Just remember to check for cross-contamination if you're very sensitive. ### Does the Special Dark Giant Bar contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain lecithin, which can be derived from soy, a type of seed oil. While some people prefer to avoid seed oils, lecithin is generally considered safe and is often used as an emulsifier to help improve texture and consistency in chocolate. ### Does the Special Dark Giant Bar contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, this bar is free from artificial sweeteners! It's sweetened with sugar instead, which gives it that classic chocolatey taste. If you're looking for something more natural, this fits the bill. ### Is the Special Dark Giant Bar high in sugar? Yes, it’s definitely on the high side with 14 grams of sugar per serving. If you’re keeping an eye on your sugar intake, it’s worth noting that this bar is more of an occasional treat than an everyday snack. But hey, life’s all about balance, right? ### What are healthier alternatives to the Special Dark Giant Bar? If you’re looking for healthier options, consider dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content or those with lower sugar content. Brands that focus on organic or minimally processed ingredients can also be great alternatives. Fruit and nut bars can also satisfy that sweet craving without as much sugar. ### Can kids eat the Special Dark Giant Bar? Absolutely! Kids can enjoy the Special Dark Giant Bar, but keep in mind it’s a treat rather than a staple. Moderation is key, as it has a good amount of sugar. Pair it with something nutritious to balance things out! ### Is the Special Dark Giant Bar good for weight loss? If weight loss is your goal, this bar might not be the best choice due to its sugar content and calorie density. It’s more of a fun indulgence rather than a weight-loss friendly snack. But if you enjoy it mindfully and in moderation, it can fit into a balanced diet! ### Is the Special Dark Giant Bar ultra-processed? Yes, you could say it falls into the ultra-processed category. It includes ingredients like cocoa processed with alkali and PGPR, which are common in many commercial chocolates to enhance flavor and texture. While it’s not the most 'natural' option, sometimes a sweet treat is just what you need! ## Related products - [Pepperidge Farm Cookies, Thumbprint, Strawberry](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/pepperidge-farm-farm-cookies-thumbprint-strawberry-675-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/pepperidge-farm-farm-cookies-thumbprint-strawberry-675-oz - [Doritos Golden Sriracha XXVL](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/doritos-golden-sriracha-xxvl-260-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/doritos-golden-sriracha-xxvl-260-oz - [Xochitl Tortilla Chip Unflavored Triangle Bag](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/xochitl-tortilla-chip-unflavored-triangle-bag-16-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/xochitl-tortilla-chip-unflavored-triangle-bag-16-oz - [Jayone Rice Snack Crnchy](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/jayone-rice-snack-crnchy-280-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/jayone-rice-snack-crnchy-280-oz - [Stacy'S Pita Chips Simply Naked](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stacys-pita-chips-simply-naked-16-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/stacys-pita-chips-simply-naked-16-oz - [Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks, Chocolate](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/quaker-quakes-rice-snacks-chocolate-352-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/quaker-quakes-rice-snacks-chocolate-352-oz - [Angie's Kettle Corn Boom Chicka Pop Lightly Sweet Popcorn](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/angies-boomchickapop-kettle-corn-boom-chicka-pop-lightly-sweet-popcorn-5-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/angies-boomchickapop-kettle-corn-boom-chicka-pop-lightly-sweet-popcorn-5-oz - [Mike & Ike Mega Theater Box](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/mike-and-ike-ike-mega-theater-box-425-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/mike-and-ike-ike-mega-theater-box-425-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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