Endangered Species

Endangered Species 72% Dark Chocolate with Forest Mint

Very Good Confidence: High

Why Very Good

Meets Very Good tier requires_all: 72% cacao exceeds 65%+ threshold, Fair Trade certified satisfies fair_trade_or_direct_trade, natural mint flavor specified meets natural_vanilla_or_no_vanilla, all ingredients recognizable. No disqualified_if_any violations present.
Falls short of Excellent tier due to missing single_origin_or_bean_to_bar verification and no evidence of organic certified cacao despite having organic cane sugar. Soy lecithin present prevents meeting no_soy_lecithin requirement for Excellent tier.
Strong certification portfolio with Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance provides verified ethical sourcing. Clean ingredient list with only acceptable additives (soy lecithin, natural mint flavor). 72% cacao content demonstrates premium quality positioning within category standards.

Score Breakdown

Ingredient Integrity Excellent - contains only expected and positive-signal ingredients: cocoa liquor (cacao mass), cane sugar, cocoa butter, soy lecithin (acceptable emulsifier), vanilla, and natural mint flavor. 72% cacao content exceeds category threshold of 70%+ for premium dark chocolate. No red flags or hard_disqualifiers present. Ingredient count of 6 is well under max_ingredient_count of 8. Cane sugar preferred over refined alternatives. Soy lecithin is category-acceptable emulsifier. Natural mint flavor is specified rather than vague.

Processing Level Standard traditional chocolate processing - contains cocoa liquor and cocoa butter indicating proper chocolate production from cacao beans through conching and tempering. No evidence of stone grinding, bean-to-bar, or small batch (positive_processes). No Dutch processing or alkalization disclosed. No disallowed_processes detected (no hydrogenation, artificial synthesis, cacao substitutes, non-cocoa fats, bleaching). Meets category_processing_norm for traditional dark chocolate manufacturing.

Evidence & Transparency Good but incomplete - Fair Trade Certified and Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa provides third-party verified sourcing and labor practices. Non-GMO verification confirms ingredient sourcing standards. Cacao percentage clearly stated at 72%. Cane sugar type disclosed. Missing required_disclosures: cocoa origin country/region not specified, cocoa bean variety not disclosed, processing method (Dutch vs natural) not stated. Missing preferred sourcing_fields: specific farm location, direct farmer relationships, deforestation-free policy. Does not meet minimum_for_excellent due to missing specific cocoa origin.

About

Endangered Species 72% Dark Chocolate with Forest Mint is a 3 oz premium dark chocolate bar featuring bittersweet chocolate with natural mint flavor. The product emphasizes ethical sourcing and conservation with Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa. Positioned as a specialty chocolate with strong ethical and environmental credentials.

Sourcing

Fair Trade Certified chocolate, Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa noted in Walmart listings, Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients, cane sugar as sweetener. Brand ties proceeds to wildlife conservation through Endangered Species Foundation narrative. Multiple certifications indicate traceable and verified sourcing for cocoa and other ingredients.

Transparency Notes

High transparency with multiple third-party certifications (Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Rainforest Alliance, Kosher, Gluten-Free, Vegan). Ingredient panels consistently provided across major retailers. Brand emphasizes conservation and ethical sourcing in product positioning. Country of origin not disclosed on retailer pages.

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