# Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate 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:** 4.25 oz - **Human page:** https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hersheys-special-dark-chocolate-bar-425-oz - **Slug:** `hersheys-special-dark-chocolate-bar-425-oz` ## NOVA classification **NOVA 4** - Ultra-processed foods Contains multiple industrial ingredients and additives (refined sugar, emulsifiers PGPR and lecithin, artificial flavor, and alkali-processed cocoa), characteristic of ultra-processed foods in NOVA group 4. ## Review You’ll typically find HERSHEY'S Special Dark Chocolate Bar in the candy aisle or the seasonal candy endcap, shelved near other chocolate bars, baking chocolate, and holiday confections. It’s often stocked alongside milk chocolate bars, dark chocolate varieties, and gift-size treats. This extra-large, individually wrapped bar suits quick impulse buys, movie-night snack runs, holiday shopping, or a last-minute addition to baking or gifting. Brand positioning leans on legacy and comfort — HERSHEY’S is presented as an American classic that evokes nostalgia, approachable indulgence, and value rather than artisan or single-origin luxury; the marketing targets mainstream shoppers and families seeking familiar, reliable chocolate. Labeling emphasizes taste and tradition over health claims; you’ll see little to no “natural” or organic certification, and the front-of-package messaging focuses on flavor and size rather than wellness. Processing context: this is a processed chocolate candy made with added sugar, emulsifiers (lecithin, PGPR), and an artificial flavor, and includes cocoa processed with alkali — ingredients and steps common to industrial chocolate production. Sensory details: the bar has a smooth, slightly glossy surface with a firm snap when broken, a creamy mouthfeel from cocoa butter and milk fat, and a mild bittersweet flavor balanced by notable sweetness (nutrition lists 140 calories and about 16 g sugars per serving). Packaging is foil and paper wrapper for single-bar convenience; typical rituals include unwrapping during a movie, chopping into chunks for brownies, or tucking a bar into stockings. It reads as an everyday indulgence that’s easy to share and store in a pantry. ## Diet flags - Vegetarian - Gluten-free ## Nutrition - **Serving size:** 4 - **Servings per container:** 4 - **Calories:** 140 - **Total fat:** 9g (12% DV) - **Saturated fat:** 6g (30% DV) - **Cholesterol:** 5mg (2% DV) - **Sodium:** 0mg (0% DV) - **Total carbs:** 19g (7% DV) - **Dietary fiber:** 2g (7% DV) - **Total sugars:** 16g - **Added sugars:** 16g (32% DV) - **Protein:** 2g ## Ingredients SUGAR, CHOCOLATE, COCOA BUTTER, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, MILK FAT, LECITHIN (SOY), PGPR, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR. ## Flagged ingredients - **lecithin (soy)** (emulsifier): Processed emulsifier ## Context tags - **Occasions:** movie-night, holiday-baking, road-trip - **Vibes:** nostalgic, indulgent, comforting ## FAQ ### Is the Special Dark Chocolate Bar healthy? Well, 'healthy' can be a tricky term! If you're looking for a sweet treat, this bar can definitely satisfy a chocolate craving, but it’s not exactly a health food. With 140 calories and 16 grams of added sugars per serving, it's best enjoyed in moderation, especially if you're keeping an eye on sugar intake. ### Is the Special Dark Chocolate Bar vegan? Nope, this chocolate bar is not vegan. It contains milk fat, which is a dairy product. So, if you're following a vegan lifestyle, you'll want to steer clear of this one and look for options that are specifically labeled as dairy-free. ### Is the Special Dark Chocolate Bar gluten-free? Yes, you can enjoy this chocolate without worrying about gluten! It doesn't contain any gluten ingredients, making it a suitable snack for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. Just remember to check for cross-contamination if you're super sensitive! ### Does the Special Dark Chocolate Bar contain seed oils? Yes, it does contain lecithin, which is often derived from soybeans — a type of seed oil. While some folks prefer to avoid seed oils, lecithin is generally recognized as safe and is used here primarily as an emulsifier to keep the chocolate smooth and creamy. ### Does the Special Dark Chocolate Bar contain artificial sweeteners? Nope, this bar keeps it real without any artificial sweeteners! It gets its sweetness from sugar, so you won't find any of those confusing sugar substitutes lurking in the ingredient list. Just good old-fashioned sugar here. ### Is the Special Dark Chocolate Bar high in sugar? You bet it is! With 16 grams of added sugars per serving, this chocolate bar is definitely on the sugary side. If you’re watching your sugar intake, you might want to enjoy it as an occasional treat rather than a daily indulgence. ### What are some healthier alternatives to the Special Dark Chocolate Bar? If you're looking for a healthier chocolate fix, consider dark chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage (70% or more) and less sugar. Brands like Lily’s or Hu Chocolate offer bars that are lower in sugar and higher in cocoa, plus they often use cleaner ingredients. Just remember, it's all about balance! ### Can kids eat the Special Dark Chocolate Bar? Absolutely, kids can enjoy this chocolate bar! Just keep in mind that it does have a good amount of sugar, so it's best as an occasional treat rather than a daily snack. Moderation is key, especially for little ones! ### Is the Special Dark Chocolate Bar good for weight loss? While this bar can fit into a balanced diet, it's not exactly a weight loss miracle. With its higher sugar content and calories, if you're watching your weight, you might want to savor it in small portions or choose snacks that are lower in calories and sugar. ### Is the Special Dark Chocolate Bar ultra-processed? You could say it falls into the ultra-processed category since it contains ingredients like PGPR and artificial flavor. These additives help with texture and flavor, but if you're looking for something more minimally processed, you might want to explore options with fewer ingredients and no additives. ## Related products - [Firehook Garlic Thyme Snack Cracker Cracker Plastic Container](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/firehook-garlic-thyme-snack-cracker-cracker-plastic-container-8-oz) (NOVA 3) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/firehook-garlic-thyme-snack-cracker-cracker-plastic-container-8-oz - [York PAtties Family Pack Stand Up Bag](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/york-patties-family-pack-stand-up-bag-1730-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/york-patties-family-pack-stand-up-bag-1730-oz - [Dare Crackers, Multi Grain 7.3 oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/dare-crackers-multi-grain-73-oz-730-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/dare-crackers-multi-grain-73-oz-730-oz - [Hersheys Milk Chocolate Almond Halloween Snack Size Individual Wrap In Bag](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/hersheys-hersheys-milk-chocolate-almond-halloween-snack-size-individual-wrap-in-bag-1035-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/hersheys-hersheys-milk-chocolate-almond-halloween-snack-size-individual-wrap-in-bag-1035-oz - [Stella D'oro® Almond Toast Crunchy Coffee Treats Cookies, 6.6 Oz](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/stella-doro-almond-toast-crunchy-coffee-treats-cookies-66-oz-660-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/stella-doro-almond-toast-crunchy-coffee-treats-cookies-66-oz-660-oz - [Justin's Nut Butter Organic Peanut Butter Cups, Dark Chocolate](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/justins-nut-butter-organic-peanut-butter-cups-dark-chocolate-140-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/justins-nut-butter-organic-peanut-butter-cups-dark-chocolate-140-oz - [Pepperidge Farm Goldfish, Baby Cheddar](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/goldfish-pepperidge-farm-goldfish-baby-cheddar-720-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/goldfish-pepperidge-farm-goldfish-baby-cheddar-720-oz - [Life Savers Hard Candy Bag, 5 Flavors](https://supermarketpuzzle.com/product/life-savers-hard-candy-bag-5-flavors-625-oz) (NOVA 4) | markdown: https://supermarketpuzzle.com/__a2/md?path=/product/life-savers-hard-candy-bag-5-flavors-625-oz ## For agents Prefer this markdown sheet over scraping the HTML page. 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