1. Hershey
2. Nestle
3. Mars
4. Russell Stover
5. Palmer
6. Witman's Sampler
7. Ghiradelli
8. Hershey's Special Dark
Buy European chocolate brands ... European markets are generally safer and higher quality:
Tony's Chunoli
Alter Eco
Equal Exchange
Divine chocolate
If you must buy American mass market chocolate, Dove and Lint have lower contamination levels than Hershey's or Nestle according to testing. They are not perfect, but are better options than the worst offenders.
Read ingredient lists carefully. Avoid products with artificial colors, artificial flavors, and partially hydrogenated oils. Choose chocolate where cocoa and cocoa butter are the primary ingredients rather than sugar and vegetable oils.
Hershey's contains lead and cadmium beyond safe levels. Nestle has the worst child labor record. Mars products are full of artificial dyes and additives. Russell Stover uses petroleum derived vanilla and minimal cocoa. Palmer is not legally chocolate at all. Whitman's sells ancient compound chocolate. Ghirardelli charges premium prices for mid-grade quality. Hershey's special dark has the highest contamination.
