With Halloween creeping closer, you know what’s coming—chocolate overload! While I'm a big fan of the sweet stuff, 247WallSt.com recently unveiled a list of the worst chocolate brands you might want to avoid. They dug into eight brands, but let’s talk about the top three offenders that might have you rethinking your candy haul this Halloween. And yes, you can find these chocolates all over Utah, whether you’re strolling through Salt Lake City, hanging in St. George, or road-tripping to Moab.

Top 3 Chocolate Brands to Skip in Utah

#3 Hershey’s
Hershey’s might be an iconic name, but it’s not all sweet. Why? The company uses a process called lipolysis, which produces butyric acid—giving the chocolate that tangy, almost sour note that some folks can’t stand. Not exactly the rich cocoa flavor you might crave! Plus, in 2022, Hershey’s got hit with a lawsuit over not disclosing high levels of lead and cadmium in their products. It’s a bitter pill for many chocolate lovers to swallow, and it’s why Hershey’s lands in third place.

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#2 Nestlé
Sliding into second place, we have Nestlé—and not for great reasons. The company has been under fire for years due to its involvement in unethical labor practices, including accusations of child labor and human trafficking within its cocoa supply chain. Despite multiple promises to clean up their act, reports show that child labor is still an issue. It’s a hard truth that makes Nestlé a brand many consumers are steering clear of.

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#1 Mars
Taking the top (or should we say bottom?) spot is Mars. Mars has been embroiled in controversy for sourcing cocoa from West African farms with troubling labor practices, including underpaid or even unpaid child workers. To add to the drama, the brand faced backlash in 2023 for continuing operations in Russia amid the Ukraine conflict. With so many issues, Mars takes the crown for the chocolate to avoid this Halloween.

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So, if you're cruising the candy aisle this spooky season, you might want to think twice before grabbing one of these brands. Happy (and informed) haunting! The entire study can be found HERE!

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