Hersheys

Rated at 2/5 green leaves, the Hershey’s KISSES Holiday Milk Chocolate with Almonds Candy falls short of clean food standards on our website. This product is not organic and contains genetically modified (GMO) ingredients, which detracts from its overall cleanliness. The inclusion of added sugars raises health concerns, contributing to the lower rating. Furthermore, the presence of ‘Natural Flavor’ in the ingredients list is a red flag, as this term often covers a range of additives that may be detrimental to health.

The Hershey’s KISSES Holiday Milk Chocolate with Almonds Candy starts with milk chocolate, which combines sugar, milk, and cocoa products. Milk fat and lecithin are typical chocolate constituents, with lecithin acting as an emulsifier. PGPR, another emulsifier, is included to improve texture but is often viewed with skepticism due to its synthetic origin. Almonds provide a natural source of protein and healthy fats, yet they are coated in sunflower oil, which can be a source of additional fat.

This product’s lack of organic certification means that the ingredients may have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals during farming. The GMO ingredients present another concern for consumers seeking natural food options. Added sugars in the milk chocolate contribute to the calorie content without offering nutritional benefits.

The label of ‘Natural Flavor’ is particularly troubling, as it obscures the true nature of the additives it represents. These flavors are not always derived from the named source, and their production processes are not transparent, making it difficult to assess their safety and health impact.

The Hershey’s KISSES Holiday Milk Chocolate with Almonds Candy has room for improvement. To align with cleaner eating principles, the product would benefit from using organic ingredients, avoiding GMOs, eliminating added sugars, and providing transparency regarding flavor additives. Consumers looking for cleaner food options might consider alternatives that better meet these criteria.