Lily's

Lily's Dark Chocolate Style Stevia Sweetened Bar

Poor Confidence: Very High

Why Poor

  1. Contains erythritol and stevia extract as primary sweeteners - both artificial sweeteners listed as hard disqualifiers in category standards. This triggers automatic Poor tier classification regardless of other attributes.
  2. No cacao percentage disclosed, which is a required transparency element for dark chocolate. Product is marketed as chocolate-style rather than traditional dark chocolate, indicating reformulated compound product that deviates from category processing norms.
  3. Uses chicory root fiber as bulking agent, representing excessive processing and formulation manipulation. Industrial manufacturing lacks craft chocolate transparency. Despite Fair Trade certification, fundamental product composition conflicts with all tier requirements from Excellent down to Below Average.

Score Breakdown

Ingredient Integrity MAJOR CONCERN - Contains erythritol as primary sweetener, a hard disqualifier per category standards (artificial sweeteners). Also contains chicory root fiber as bulking agent. Only 6 ingredients but uses sugar alcohols and fiber bulking instead of traditional sugar. Unsweetened chocolate and cocoa butter are appropriate base ingredients. No cacao percentage disclosed which violates category transparency requirements. This is chocolate-style product, not traditional dark chocolate.
Processing Level POOR - Product is compound/reformulated chocolate using sugar alcohols and fiber bulking rather than traditional chocolate-making. Excessive processing to incorporate erythritol and chicory fiber. Does not follow traditional bean-to-bar or conching processes. Manufactured by major industrial producer (Hershey) rather than craft chocolatier. No mention of stone grinding, traditional conching, or minimal processing.
Evidence & Transparency MODERATE - Fair Trade Certified cocoa is positive. Non-GMO verified. However, no cacao percentage listed (required disclosure). No cocoa origin country/region disclosed (required). No information on cocoa bean variety, processing method (Dutch vs natural), or supplier relationships. Manufacturing by Hershey provides scale but not craft transparency. Missing multiple required disclosures per category standards.
Product Quality This is a chocolate-style confection using artificial sweeteners (erythritol, stevia) and bulking agents (chicory fiber) rather than traditional dark chocolate. While it uses fair trade certified cocoa and cocoa butter as base ingredients, it fundamentally deviates from category standards by replacing sugar with sugar alcohols - a hard disqualifier. No cacao percentage disclosed, violating transparency requirements. Industrial processing by major manufacturer rather than craft chocolate-making.

About

Lily's Extremely Dark Chocolate Style Bar is a stevia-sweetened dark chocolate bar made without sugar. The 2.8 oz bar features high cocoa content and uses erythritol and stevia extract as sweeteners, along with chicory root fiber. Manufactured by The Hershey Company under the Lily's brand.

Sourcing

Fair Trade Certified cocoa, Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients. Product manufactured by The Hershey Company, a major US-based confectionery manufacturer.

Transparency Notes

Full ingredient disclosure on manufacturer website, multiple third-party certifications (Non-GMO, Fair Trade, Kosher, Gluten Free), clear nutritional information available, sold through mainstream retail channels including Walmart and direct-to-consumer website

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