Halloween is just around the corner, and you know what that means—CHOCOLATE! While I’m a huge chocolate lover, 247WallSt.com recently put together a list of the worst chocolate brands out there. They highlighted eight, but let’s focus on the Top 3 you’ll want to steer clear of. These brands are available all over Utah, whether you're in Salt Lake City, St. George, or Moab, so you might want to rethink adding them to your cart this Halloween.

TOP 3 CHOCOLATE BRANDS TO AVOID IN UTAH:

#3 Hershey’s

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Coming in at number three, Hershey’s made the list because of its controversial production process. The company uses a method called lipolysis, which creates butyric acid, giving the chocolate a tangy taste that can overpower the cocoa flavor. On top of that, Hershey’s faced a lawsuit in 2022 for allegedly failing to disclose high levels of lead and cadmium in their products, which has turned many consumers away.

#2 Nestlé

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Nestlé takes the second spot due to its involvement in unethical labor practices. The company has faced multiple lawsuits and widespread criticism for using child labor, slavery, and trafficking within its chocolate supply chain. Despite pledges to clean up its act, reports indicate that child labor remains an issue, putting Nestlé near the top of the list of brands to avoid.

#1 Mars

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Mars claims the number one spot for its long-standing controversies. The brand has been under fire for sourcing cocoa from West African farms that allegedly rely on underpaid or unpaid child labor. In 2023, Mars also sparked backlash for continuing business in Russia during the Ukraine conflict. With these issues, Mars tops 24/7 Wall St.’s list of chocolates to skip.

To see the full rundown of chocolate brands to avoid, CLICK HERE!

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