For newborn tummies

0–6 month old babies should generally have only breast milk or infant formula. Please talk to your pediatrician before giving anything else.

Take care of you and your baby ❤️

HERSHEY'S special dark

candy • For 0-6 month old infants • Consumable 🍝

candy

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Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to eat HERSHEY'S special dark?

🚫

NO - AVOID

Danger Score: 27 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: HERSHEY'S special dark contains 8 ingredients. 2 avoid, 1 concerning, 1 caution. Avoid - Contains Dangerous Ingredients 🚫 Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (8 found)

CHOCOLATE

🚫8/10

Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine which are harmful to infants under 6 months. It is not suitable for baby food or formula at this age.

No Known Risk - Chocolate, when used in small amounts and age-appropriate forms, does not have immediate health concerns for babies based on current research. However, it is not recommended for infants due to caffeine, sugar, and potential allergens, but these do not meet the threshold for the specific risk labels provided.

Confidence: HIGH

COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI

🚫8/10

Cocoa processed with alkali contains caffeine and theobromine which are not safe for infants under 6 months. It is not suitable for baby food or formula.

No Known Risk - Cocoa powder (alkalized) is generally recognized as safe for consumption, including by babies in small amounts. There is no strong evidence linking it to any of the listed risks when used in typical food amounts. While cocoa contains small amounts of caffeine and theobromine, these are not present at levels considered harmful in normal dietary exposure, and no major health agencies have flagged alkalized cocoa powder as a risk for babies.

Confidence: HIGH

NATURAL FLAVOR

🚨6/10

Not recommended for babies under six months. Natural flavor is vague and may contain unknown ingredients or allergens.

No Known Risk - Natural flavor is a broad term for flavoring substances derived from natural sources. While the exact composition can vary, current research and regulatory reviews have not identified immediate health risks for babies when used in typical amounts in consumable products. There is no strong evidence linking natural flavors to specific health risks in infants, so an abundance of caution suggests it is generally considered safe.

Confidence: HIGH

SUGAR

⚠️5/10

Added sugar is not recommended for babies under six months. It is not acutely toxic but can harm nutrition and encourage sweet preference and later health issues.

ADHD/ADD - High sugar intake has been linked in some studies to increased hyperactivity and attention issues in children, though evidence is mixed.

Organ Risk - Excessive sugar consumption is associated with increased risk of fatty liver disease and can stress the pancreas in children.

Long-Term Risk - Chronic high sugar intake in early life is linked to increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome later in life.

Metabolism - High sugar intake can negatively affect how the body processes nutrients and is linked to insulin resistance and metabolic disturbances.

Confidence: HIGH

COCOA BUTTER

✅3/10

Organic fair-trade cocoa butter is generally safe as a fat source but may pose allergy risk or digestive issues in 0-6 month infants. Used as an emollient or fat in some foods.

No Known Risk - Cocoa butter is widely used in foods and topical products and is generally recognized as safe for consumption and skin contact, including for babies. There is no strong evidence linking cocoa butter to any of the listed risks when used as a consumable ingredient.

Confidence: HIGH

PGPR

✅3/10

PGPR is an emulsifier used in food products including some infant formulas. It is generally recognized as safe but limited data exists for 0-6 month infants so minor caution advised.

No Known Risk - Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate (PGPR) is widely used as an emulsifier in food products, including those for children. Current research and regulatory reviews (such as by the EFSA and FDA) have not identified significant health risks at approved usage levels, and there is no strong evidence linking PGPR to any of the listed negative health effects in babies or children.

Confidence: HIGH

MILK FAT

✅1/10

Milkfat is a common source of fat in infant formula and is safe for 0-6 months when properly processed

No Known Risk - Milk fat is a natural component of dairy and is commonly included in infant formulas and baby foods. There is no credible scientific evidence linking milk fat to any of the listed risks for healthy infants, unless the baby has a diagnosed milk allergy or intolerance. For the general population, milk fat is considered safe for consumption by babies.

Confidence: HIGH

LECITHIN (SOY)

✅1/10

Lecithin soy is a common emulsifier in baby foods and formulas. It is generally recognized as safe for 0-6 month infants with minimal risk.

Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About HERSHEY'S special dark

Is this newborn-safe? HERSHEY'S special dark

HERSHEY'S special dark is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 8 ingredients in HERSHEY'S special dark. 2 avoid, 1 concerning, 1 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

When can newborns start eating candy?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers

Product Recognition: Product names are identified programatically and may be incorrect. Always verify product identity yourself.

Safety Analysis: Evaluations are for research only - consult pediatricians for medical decisions. Do not rely solely on this analysis.

No Guarantees: Results may be incomplete or inaccurate. Do not rely solely on this analysis.