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Brand founded in the United States, 1894 · about the brand
HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 1.5 ShowHide
Reviewed 3 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This chocolate candy is primarily a source of added sugar, which is listed as the first ingredient and is a dominant component. While it contains a significant amount of roasted almonds and cocoa solids, providing some nutritional value, the overall formulation is highly processed. The presence of synthetic food colors is a particular watch-out for young children due to potential links with hyperactivity. Blackberry fruit powder is present in trace amounts, so any meaningful health benefit from it is unlikely. This product is best consumed as an occasional treat due to its high sugar content and additive profile.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Roasted Almonds
- Cocoa Solids
- Cocoa butter
High in Added Sugar; Contains Additives and Synthetic Colors
This chocolate candy is very high in added sugar, making it an occasional treat rather than a regular snack. It also contains several additives like stabilizers, emulsifiers, and flavors, which means the specific chemicals used are not transparently listed. Synthetic food colors are present, which some consumers, especially parents of young children, may wish to avoid due to potential links with hyperactivity.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Looking for a lower-sugar option — Added sugar is 36.5 g per 100 g.
Declared allergens: Tree nuts and Milk
People with these allergies should avoid it and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
Based on the declared ingredient list. This is a risk only to people with the allergy, not a general-population safety issue, so it does not lower the safety score.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for food. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Saturated fat 12.5 g · trans fat 0.1 g per 100 g/ml
Infants under 1
AvoidHigh in added sugar, which is not recommended for infants and should be limited in young children to prevent dental issues and unhealthy eating habits.
Toddlers & young children (1–5)
LimitContains synthetic food colors, which some studies have linked to hyperactivity in children. Parents may wish to limit consumption.
Why the score is capped
Very high added sugar
Rule F-CAP-01
Contains Tartrazine (INS 102) and Carmoisine (INS 122), synthetic colours linked to hyperactivity in children; the EU requires a pack warning for each
Rule F-CAP-18 · Source: McCann et al., Lancet 2007; EFSA 2009; EU Regulation 1333/2008 Annex V warning
Highly processed (NOVA) and high in sugar
Rule F-CAP-07
Stabilizers, flavours, colours not disclosed — 3 additive classes are named without saying which substances they are
Rule F-CAP-13
What's good
Contains a significant amount of roasted almonds (29%)
Contains a good percentage of cocoa solids (20%)
Watch out for
Very high added sugar content
Lack of transparency for multiple additive classes (stabilizers, anticaking agent, emulsifier, flavors, synthetic food colors, glazing agent)
Presence of synthetic food colors, which may be linked to hyperactivity in children
Highly processed food (NOVA-4)
Decode Label Analysis
This product contains a very high amount of added sugar, which is the primary ingredient. High sugar intake is linked to increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental caries.
Multiple additive classes (Stabilizers, Anticaking Agent, Emulsifier, Flavours, Synthetic Food Colours, Glazing Agent) are listed without specific disclosure of the chemical substances. This lack of transparency makes a full safety assessment challenging.
The presence of undisclosed Synthetic Food Colours is a concern, particularly for children, as some have been linked to hyperactivity (EU SCCS).
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The claim 'NEW' is a temporal marketing statement that cannot be verified from the provided label information.
The term 'EXOTIC DARK' is a descriptive marketing term that cannot be objectively verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The ingredient list confirms the presence of 'Roasted almonds', but does not specify their origin as 'Californian'.
The label describes 'FLAVORED CENTER CHOCOLATE' but does not provide specific details about the 'center' or its flavoring beyond the overall product description.
The term 'CRUNCHY WHOLE' describes a texture and form that cannot be objectively verified from the ingredient list or nutrition facts.
The ingredient list includes 'Blackberry fruit powder' and 'Flavours (Nature Identical & Artificial Flavouring Substance (Vanilla))', supporting the presence of blackberry flavor.
The nutrition information states that the product contains 0.07g of trans fat per 100g.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
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1.
Sugar
-
2.
Roasted almonds 29%Roasted almonds (#29%)
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3.
Cocoa Solids 20%Cocoa Solids (#20%)
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4.
Cocoa butter
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5.
Milk Solids
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6.
Stabilizers unnamedStabilizers (415,1400)
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7.
Anticaking agentSilicon dioxide (INS 551)Anticaking agent (551)
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8.
Liquid glucose
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9.
EmulsifierLecithin (INS 322)Emulsifier (322(i))
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10.
FlavoursFlavours (Nature Identical & Artificial Flavouring Substance (Vanilla))
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11.
Blackberry fruit powder 0.15% trace amountBlackberry fruit powder (#0.15%)
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12.
Edible Common Salt
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13.
Synthetic Food Colours synthetic colourSynthetic Food Colours (102,122,133)
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14.
Glazing agentShellac (INS 904)Glazing agent (904)
Trace amounts: some named ingredients appear in token quantities or low in the list. At these concentrations a meaningful benefit is unlikely, and their front-of-pack prominence may not reflect their level in the formulation.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
These are major food allergens named on the ingredient list. They are a risk only to people allergic to them — not a general-population safety issue — so they do not lower the safety score. Anyone with the allergy should avoid this product, and check the pack’s own allergen statement.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
| Energy | 562 kcal |
| Protein | 8.5 g |
| Carbohydrate | 50.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 36.8 g |
| Added Sugars | 36.5 g |
| Total Fat | 36.1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 12.5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.07 g |
| Sodium | 69 mg |
| Cholesterol | 3 mg |
Colour shows the per-100g level (green = low, amber = moderate, red = high), from the product's label.
Compare with other chocolate candy products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
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What are the ingredients in HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor?
The label of HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor lists 14 ingredients, in label order: Sugar, Roasted Almonds, Cocoa Solids, Cocoa butter, Milk Solids, Stabilizers, Anticaking Agent, Liquid Glucose, Emulsifier, Flavours, Blackberry fruit powder, Edible Common Salt, Synthetic Food Colours, Glazing Agent. None of them is flagged by the analysis.
Is HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor safe to eat?
HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor scores 1.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). This chocolate candy is very high in added sugar, making it an occasional treat rather than a regular snack. It also contains several additives like stabilizers, emulsifiers, and flavors, which means the specific chemicals used are not transparently listed. Synthetic food colors are present, which some consumers, especially parents of young children, may wish to avoid due to potential links with hyperactivity.
Why does HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor score 1.5/10?
What the analysis notes: Very high added sugar content. Lack of transparency for multiple additive classes (stabilizers, anticaking agent, emulsifier, flavors, synthetic food colors, glazing agent). Presence of synthetic food colors, which may be linked to hyperactivity in children.
Who should avoid HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Individuals monitoring sugar intake; Parents of young children sensitive to artificial colors; Those seeking additive-free products; Tree-nut allergy; Milk allergy / lactose intolerance.
Is HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor suitable for babies or young children?
Infants under 1: Avoid. Toddlers & young children (1–5): Limit.
Does HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor contain allergens?
Yes — the ingredient list contains tree nuts (Roasted Almonds) and milk (Milk Solids). Check the allergen statement on the pack too if you have a diagnosed allergy.
Does HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor contain tree nuts?
Yes — the ingredient list names Roasted Almonds. People with tree-nut allergy should treat it as containing tree nuts, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Does HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor contain milk?
Yes — the ingredient list names Milk Solids. People with milk allergy / lactose intolerance should treat it as containing milk, and check the allergen statement on the pack too.
Is HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor high in sugar?
Yes — 36.8 g of total sugar per 100 g, above the 22.5 g per 100 g that UK front-of-pack labelling marks as high. The label declares 36.5 g of that as added sugar per 100 g.
Are the claims on the HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 7 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "NEW" — can't be verified from the label. "EXOTIC DARK" — can't be verified from the label. "CALIFORNIAN ALMONDS" — can't be verified from the label.
Is HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor vegetarian?
HERSHEY'S Exotic Dark Californian Almonds Sprinkled with BlackBerry Flavor is marked vegetarian.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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