HERSHEY'S special dark

candy • For 5+ year old children • Consumable 🍝

candy

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Is this kid-friendly to eat HERSHEY'S special dark?

⚠️

USE WITH CAUTION

Danger Score: 4 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: HERSHEY'S special dark contains 8 ingredients. 1 caution. Use with Caution ⚠️ Kids may have different tolerance levels.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (8 found)

NATURAL FLAVOR

⚠️4/10

Natural flavor is a non specific term for many flavoring ingredients. For kids 5 and older risk is usually low but uncertain because the exact substances are not named.

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

CHOCOLATE

✅3/10

Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine which can affect young children but in small amounts it is generally safe for 5 plus years old in food products

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

SUGAR

✅3/10

Sugar is generally safe in small amounts for a 5 year old but too much raises risk of cavities and weight gain

Confidence: HIGH

COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI

✅2/10

Cocoa processed with alkali is commonly used in foods and is generally safe for children over 5 years in moderate amounts but contains caffeine and theobromine which require caution.

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

COCOA BUTTER

✅1/10

Organic fair-trade cocoa butter is a natural fat used in food and cosmetics. It is safe for children over 5 years in consumable products with no significant concerns.

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

✅1/10

PGPR is a common food additive used as an emulsifier and is generally recognized as safe for children over 5 years in small amounts.

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

LECITHIN (SOY)

✅1/10

Lecithin soy is a common emulsifier and source of phospholipids safe for children over 5 years with low allergenic risk in processed foods and supplements.

Confidence: HIGH

MILK FAT

✅0/10

Milkfat is a common dairy fat safe for children over 5 years and is used for nutrition and flavor in foods

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

Common Questions About HERSHEY'S special dark

Kid-approved? HERSHEY'S special dark

Use caution with HERSHEY'S special dark for 5+ year old children. Some ingredients may pose concerns.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

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

When can kids start eating candy?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. 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.