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International Chocolate Day Puts Focus on Dark Chocolate and Smart Choices

Experts urge bars with at least 70% cacao, with small portions to balance enjoyment with health benefits.

Overview

  • September 13 is marked as International Chocolate Day in honor of Roald Dahl, while some organizations also recognize July 7 to reflect cocoa’s arrival in Europe.
  • Nutrition guidance emphasizes dark chocolate as the healthiest option, recommending ≥70% cacao, careful label reading, and avoiding high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, and added oils.
  • Experts advise moderation of roughly 20–30 grams per day, with EFSA citing about 200 mg of flavonoids daily, roughly equivalent to 40 grams of chocolate over 70% cacao.
  • A TikTok dietitian known as Nutrióloga Candy shared a brand list that media amplified, discouraging products like Hershey’s, Carlos V, Crunch, and M&M’s for additives, and favoring high-cacao options such as Lindt or HEB >85%.
  • Day-of coverage also spotlights recipes, pâtisseries and travel, highlighting Buenos Aires and Bariloche as chocolate stops and noting broader Latin American cacao origins for premium supply.