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Sahara Bites Dark Chocolate Dubai Chocolate
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Chocolate candies

Sahara Bites Dark Chocolate Dubai Chocolate

119 g

Poor out of 100 High confidence
  • Contains synthetic dyes
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in sugar
  • High in saturated fat
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains seed oils
  • Contains artificial flavors
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Why it scores 21

Sahara Bites Dark Chocolate Dubai Chocolate scores 21 out of 100 (Poor) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Sugars 30 g / 100 g: Very high in sugar. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better chocolate bars

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Dark Chocolate Dubai Chocolate

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Blue 1
    Regulatory The FDA is working with industry to remove six petroleum-based dyes from US food by the end of 2027; California bans them in school meals from December 31, 2027. [4][5]
  • Hydrogenated oil
    Info An ingredient typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
  • Vegetable oil (unspecified)
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [7][8][9][10]
  • Canola oil
    Emerging High in omega-6 linoleic acid. [7][8][9][10]
  • Soy lecithin
    Info An additive class typical of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4). [6]
  • Artificial flavors
    Strong US dietary guidelines advise limiting foods with artificial flavors. [2][11]
subtotal−35

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [6]
  • 4 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: color (added), emulsifier, flavoring and industrial fat. [6]
subtotal−22.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 30 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 16.7 g / 100 g
    Strong Very high in saturated fat. [12]
  • Energy 567 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 6.7 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
subtotal−22
TOTAL 21Poor

100 − 79.5 = 20.5 → 21

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in fat, saturated fat and sugars (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [13]

GTIN 00006822000082 · 2026-10-05

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy567 kcal
Fat46.7 g
Saturated fat16.7 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates40 g
Sugars30 g
Added sugars26.7 g
Fiber6.7 g
Protein10 g
Salt0.2 g

Serving: 30 g

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Sugar, fully hydrogenated vegetable oil, cocoa powder, skimmed milk powder (cow), whey powder (cow), full cream milk powder (cow), pistachio fillings (non-hydrogenated vegetable oil (palm), skimmed milk powder (cow), full cream milk powder (cow), whey powder (cow), fully hydrogenated palm , rapeseed oil, pistachio, natural color turmeric (E100 (i)), artificial color brilliant blue (E133)), kunafa (wheat flour, water, cornstarch, salt, vegetable ghee), soya lecithin (E-322), artificial vanillin

Allergens and diets

Contains: Milk, Tree nuts, Soy, Wheat, Gluten

  • Not vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • Not gluten-free
  • Not palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Plastic

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest chocolate candies in the US

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. Tracking Food Industry Pledges to Remove Petroleum Based Food Dyes

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Regulator

    “FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, FD&C Yellow No. 5, FD&C Yellow No. 6, FD&C Blue No. 1, and FD&C Blue No. 2—by the end of 2027.”

    fda.gov

  5. California AB 2316 (2024), Pupil nutrition: substances: prohibition

    California Legislative Information · Sep 28, 2024 · Law

    “beginning December 31, 2027, would prohibit a school district, county superintendent of schools, or charter school”

    leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

  6. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  7. Re-evaluation of the traditional diet-heart hypothesis: analysis of recovered data from Minnesota Coronary Experiment (1968-73)

    BMJ · Apr 12, 2016 · Peer-reviewed

    “replacement of saturated fat in the diet with linoleic acid effectively lowers serum cholesterol but does not support the hypothesis that this translates to a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease or all causes.”

    doi.org

  8. Use of dietary linoleic acid for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and death: evaluation of recovered data from the Sydney Diet Heart Study and updated meta-analysis

    BMJ · Feb 4, 2013 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  9. Dietary Linoleic Acid and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

    Circulation · Oct 28, 2014 · Peer-reviewed

    “These data provide support for current recommendations to replace saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat for primary prevention of CHD.”

    doi.org

  10. Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association

    Circulation · Jul 18, 2017 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  11. 21 CFR 172.515 Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Oct 9, 2017 · Law

    ecfr.gov

  12. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  13. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  14. HHS, FDA to Phase Out Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes in Nation’s Food Supply (press release)

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Apr 22, 2025 · Regulator

    “Initiating the process to revoke authorization for two synthetic food colorings—Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B—within the coming months.”

    fda.gov

  15. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  16. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org