Russell Stover

Russell Stover Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Pecan Delights

Poor Confidence: very_high

Why Poor

  1. Meets multiple Poor tier triggered_if_any conditions: alkali-processed chocolate liquor as ingredient, artificial colors (FD&C Yellow 5&6 Red 40 Blue 1), artificial sweeteners (maltitol as primary ingredient plus stevia), no cacao percentage disclosed which violates category required disclosure, and this is compound coating with vegetable oils rather than true chocolate
  2. Contains six category hard_disqualifiers: artificial sweeteners (maltitol syrup), artificial colors (multiple FD&C dyes), artificial flavors (artificial caramel flavor), no cacao content listed, palm oil and unspecified vegetable fats, and uses chocolate flavoring approach with fillers rather than cacao mass as foundation
  3. Violates Excellent Very_Good Good and Below_Average tier requirements entirely: 20+ ingredients vs 8 max allowed, alkali processing disqualifies from all upper tiers, palm oil and vegetable oils disqualify from Excellent/Very_Good, artificial ingredients disqualify from Good/Below_Average, and maltitol as first ingredient instead of cacao mass means this is sugar-free confection not legitimate dark chocolate

Score Breakdown

Ingredient Integrity poor - contains multiple category hard_disqualifiers and red_flags: artificial sweeteners (maltitol as primary sweetener, stevia leaf extract), palm oil and unspecified vegetable oils (palm/sunflower/shea blend), artificial flavors (artificial caramel flavor), artificial colors (Yellow 5&6, Red 40, Blue 1), alkali-processed chocolate liquor (Dutch processed), maltitol syrup and polydextrose as bulking agents, preservatives (sodium benzoate); maltitol as first ingredient instead of cacao mass violates fundamental dark chocolate standards; no cacao percentage disclosed; product is ultra-processed confection rather than true dark chocolate
Processing Level unacceptable - alkali processing (Dutch processed chocolate liquor) is disclosed but combined with extensive ultra-processing; multiple emulsifiers and stabilizers; artificial flavor synthesis; compound chocolate production with vegetable oil substitutes for cocoa butter; excessive ingredient count (20+ ingredients) far exceeds category max of 8; uses chocolate liquor but diluted with fillers and substitutes; this is confection manufacturing not chocolate making
Evidence & Transparency very poor - no cacao percentage disclosed (category required_disclosure); no cocoa origin information (required); no Fair Trade or Direct Trade certification; no supplier relationships disclosed; no labor practice verification; no deforestation policy; no heavy metal testing mentioned despite known cocoa contamination risks; 2023 allergy recall indicates quality control issues; country of origin not stated; pecan sourcing unknown
Product Quality compound_chocolate_confection_with_artificial_sweeteners_colors_and_flavors_marketed_as_dark_chocolate

About

Russell Stover Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Pecan Delights Candy, 10 oz bag. Dark chocolate with pecan and caramel filling, sweetened with maltitol and stevia leaf extract instead of sugar. Approximately 16-17 pieces per bag. Mainstream sugar-free chocolate confection positioned for consumers seeking no-added-sugar alternatives.

Sourcing

Sweetened with stevia leaf extract (no added sugar). Contains pecans, dark chocolate with alkali-processed chocolate liquor, and vegetable oils (palm, sunflower, shea). Product family subject to past allergy alert for undeclared pecan in some batches (2023 recall documentation exists). No explicit sourcing transparency claims for cocoa or nut origins found.

Transparency Notes

Full ingredient panel disclosed on major retailer listing (Walmart). Manufacturer emphasizes sugar-free and stevia-sweetened positioning. Historical allergy alert (2023) for undeclared pecan in Sugar Free Pecan Delights product family indicates past labeling concerns. No certifications disclosed. Country of origin not stated on reviewed pages.

Community Verdict Coming soon

Do you agree with the Poor rating for Russell Stover Sugar Free Dark Chocolate Pecan Delights?

Voting unlocks when community features launch.

Discussion Coming soon

Have a take on Dark Chocolate? Spotted a reformulation? Community discussion launches with voting.