Stephen's, Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa

Why Does This Score Ultra-Processed?

In our analysis, Stephen's, Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa scores Ultra-Processed. That classification is shaped by ingredients commonly associated with ultra-processed foods:

• Corn-Based Sweeteners (Corn Syrup Solids): HFCS is a hallmark of ultra-processed foods.
• Processed Fruit Products (Cocoa -Processed With Alkali): Concentrates and extracts indicate significant processing.
• Processed Dairy Ingredients (Sodium Caseinate): Isolated proteins and modified ingredients indicate UPF.
• Stabilizers & Gums (Carrageenan): Industrial stabilizers common in UPF.
• Emulsifiers (Mono And Diglycerides): Industrial emulsifiers indicate UPF.

Within Chocolate, this product is more processed than about 67% of the 9,618 products we've analyzed.

Processing classification reflects ingredient and additive analysis, not a judgment of any product's safety, quality, or healthfulness.

What These Ingredients Tell Us

We group Stephen's, Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa's ingredients into ingredient categories and note how each relates to food processing. The notes below describe the category, not this specific product's formulation.

Sugars & Natural SweetenersProcessing indicator

In this product: Sugar, Maltodextrin.

Natural sugars acceptable in moderation, excessive amounts indicate UPF.

Vegetable OilsProcessing indicator

In this product: Coconut Oil.

Natural oils are minimally processed, hydrogenated oils indicate UPF.

Salt & SodiumProcessing indicator

In this product: Salt.

Basic preservative, but high amounts indicate processing.

MineralsProcessing indicator

In this product: Dipotassium Phosphate.

Added minerals often compensate for processing.