Label check
Checking dark chocolate for milk
Use the actual bar label. Cocoa percentage describes one part of a chocolate product; it cannot establish that milk ingredients or milk cross-contact are absent.
Part of Food allergy
This check covers US labels. Start with the exact package and variant you have, then use the steps below. Explore more food checks.
What to look at
- Check the full list, including fillings and coatings.
- Read the milk declaration and any advisory statement separately.
- Contact the manufacturer when allergy-relevant information is unresolved.
Read this label.
70% cocoa; filling contains milk powder
Illustrative excerpt · not a real productThe cocoa percentage does not describe the filling. Milk powder is still part of this illustrative bar.
Why this reading matters
For covered US labels, major allergen sources can be identified in the ingredient names or a nearby Contains statement. Precautionary cross-contact statements are voluntary; their absence is not proof of absence. US Food and Drug Administration.
What the label cannot settle
FDA has investigated undeclared milk in dark chocolate. Neither a high cocoa percentage nor a label scan guarantees allergy safety.
Put the check to work
Compare the exact words and amounts on your package with the example. If a panel is missing, a photo is unreadable or the manufacturer has not disclosed a detail, keep that detail as unknown. A different flavor, shade or formulation needs its own check.
For the full reading method, use our food label guide. The food allergies guide adds context for your needs.
A useful next check
- Checking a coffee creamer for milk
- Checking protein bars for milk ingredients
- Rechecking a different flavor of the same food
Sources read and this label example reviewed on 2026-09-23. Examples are illustrative, not product tests or clinical reviews.
Sources
- Food Allergies US Food and Drug Administration · fda.gov FDA-regulated packaged foods and dietary supplements; not cosmetic allergen rules