Hershey's Chocolate Flavored Syrup — ENGINEERED

Munch or Dump rates Hershey's Chocolate Flavored Syrup by Hershey’s ENGINEERED — score 30/90.

This is liquid sugar wearing a chocolate costume. Three different sweeteners stack up before any cocoa appears, and there's only 5% cocoa solids total.

Why this verdict

• Three stacked sweeteners (sugar, invert sugar, liquid glucose) before any cocoa
• Only 5% cocoa solids — it's sweetened water, not chocolate
• Malt extract adds yet a fourth sugar source
• Xanthan gum engineers the glossy, clingy texture
• Essentially pure added sugar with a chocolate flavor

Ingredients (9)

• Sugar (moderate) — Added for sweetness, can contribute to calorie content.
• Water (safe) — Used as a basic ingredient in bread.
• Invert Sugar (caution) — Yet another sweetener layered in to keep the bar sweet and soft.
• Liquid glucose (moderate) — A simple syrup adding sweetness and texture.
• Cocoa solids (5%) (safe) — The actual chocolate, but only 5% — just enough for color and flavor.
• Malt Extract (moderate) — Barley-derived sweetener, also a source of gluten.
• Thickening agent (415) — Xanthan gum (moderate) — Industrial stabilizer that engineers the glossy, clingy texture.
• Preservative (202) — Potassium sorbate (moderate) — Standard shelf-life preservative; safe in small amounts but a marker of a processed product.
• Salt (moderate) — Used in moderation, might exceed necessary amount.