Dark Chocolate Intros Reaching Mass Market

NAPLES, N.Y.—According to Datamonitor’s Productscan Online (www.datamonitor.com) database, dark chocolate now accounts for 33.4 percent of total chocolate candy introductions in the United States, roughly double the 15.5-percent share of 2002.The boost could be due to the media discussion about the health benefits of cocoa flavanols, which are higher in dark chocolate, that have been credited with a broad range of health benefits from improved blood flow and blood vessel relaxation to reduced risk of blood clots.The mass market trend includes products such as Wrigley’s new Altoids Dark Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Mints, Masterfoods USA’s M&M’s Dark Chocolate Candies and Snickers Limited Edition Dark Candy Bar, along with Nestle’s new Dark Raisinets, Dark Chocolate Carmel Treasures and Nestle Crunch Dark Limited Edition Candy Bar. Dark chocolate versions of traditionally milk chocolate candy and products are being launched beyond the United States into the United Kingdom, Argentina and Italy. Dark chocolate is expected to also be seen in categories like ice cream, snacks and cooking sauces.