Course:FNH200/Assignments/2024/Hershey's Chocolate Chips - Normal vs Sugar Free

Introduction

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips & Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips

Hershey's Chocolate Chips are a popular baking ingredient that can be used in many recipes like chocolate chip cookies and chocolate chip muffins. There are many different versions such as sugar free or semi-sweet chocolate chips. A comparison between Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips and Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips will be made below to inform consumers of their choices.

Images of the Products

• See right side for four images of two products and their ingredients
  
  

  Image 1A: Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips
  

  Image 1B: Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips Ingredients

Image 2A: Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips

Image 2B: Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips Ingredients

Ingredient lists

1. INGREDIENTS LIST:
   • Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips Ingredient List: Milk Chocolate (Sugar; Chocolate; Skim Milk; Cocoa Butter; Milk Fat; Lecithin (Soy); Natural Flavor)
   • Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips Ingredient List: Maltitol; Chocolate Processed with Alkali; Cocoa Butter; Contains 2% or less of: Lecithin (Soy); Natural Flavor; Milk* (*Adds a negligible amount of sugar. Individuals sensitive to sugar may experience a laxative effect.)
2. SUGAR SUBSTITUTE AND ADDITIVES:
   • The main sugar substitute for the zero-sugar alternative is maltitol, a sugar alcohol. Additives found in both products is soy derived lecithin.
3. ROLE OF SUBSTITUTES AND ADDITIVES:
   • Maltitol is a digestible, low-calorie sugar alcohol sweetener that is a common sugar alternative for consumers who are diabetic or concerned with excess calories. They are 80% as sweet as sucrose, but only has 1.5-3 Cal per gram compared to sucrose, a carbohydrate, at 4 Cal per gram. Diabetic patients benefit due to its lack of glucose and insulin spike. However, they have laxative properties if consumed in high volumes, as stated on the ingredients list.
   • Lecithin is a commonly found phospholipid emulsifier. Emulsifiers are substances that allow for two liquids to mix. Phospholipids are a type of fat that have a water-loving (hydrophilic) head and a water-hating (hydrophobic) tail. The opposing properties of phospholipids allow for them to act as emulsifiers to create emulsions, a homogenous mix of two liquids that typically would not mix.
4. SIMILARITIES IN BOTH PRODUCTS:
   • Both use chocolate, dairy milk, cocoa butter, lecithin from soybeans, and natural flavor.
   • Total carbohydrates for both packages is 9g. The volume of added sugar is the same as the volume of maltitol, a common characteristic for this bulk sweetener.
5. DIFFERENCES IN BOTH PRODUCTS:
   • Although both have total carbohydrates at 9g, the breakdown of carbohydrates differs. The nutrition label of the regular chocolate package states that it includes 7g added sugars while the zero sugar package states that it includes 0 added sugars and introduces a new line for maltitol at 7g.
   • There is a 10 calorie difference per serving with the normal version containing 70 calories and the alternative containing 60. Notably, the zero sugar alternative has a 0.5g higher fat content (9 calories per gram; 4.5 calories for half a gram) but low calories from using maltitol (1.5-3 calories per gram) contributes to the lower caloric difference.
   • The zero-sugar chocolate chips uses chocolate processed with alkali, which is less acidic, thus less bitter in taste. Furthermore, the zero-sugar chocolate chip states that it 'contains 2% or less of' lecithin, natural flavor, and milk. The percentage indication is not written on the normal chocolate package.
   • The regular chocolate chip package uses skim milk, and then uses milk fat further down on the ingredient list. Interestingly, the zero-sugar version does not detail their milk percentage.
   • The zero-sugar alternative states that lactose, the sugar found in milk, 'adds a negligible amount of sugar.' It also warns of the laxative effect of sugar alcohols.
   • The zero-sugar alternative declares allergens (soy and milk) under the ingredients list. The regular package, although it does contain both ingredients, have these allergens undeclared.

Labels

	Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips & Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips
Common Name	It is commonly known as Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips and Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips
Bilingualism	Both of the products only offer English labels as the packaging in these pictures are from the country of origin, the United States. However, the Canadian version of the product must adhere to labelling regulations that will include both English and French for the core labels.
Country of Origin	This does not apply for this food product so it is not on the labels.
Date Markings & Storage Instructions	There is an ink stamped "BB" or "Best By" date code on both Hershey's chocolate chips product. Products should be kept in room temperature, about 55-60°F. It not recommended to store in the fridge but safe to do so. The shelf life is about 1 year after opening. There will be flavour loss or texture change after about 1 year.
Name & Principal Place of Business	The principal place of business is in Pennsylvania, United States.
Legibility & Location	The back of the packaging, Images 1B and 2B, have clear labels regarding ingredients and nutritional information.
Net Quantity	The net weight for the Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chip's is 11.5 oz (326 grams) it is shown on the bottom left of the front label. The net weight for the Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips is 8oz (226.8 grams) It is also shown on the bottom left of the front label.
Nutrition Facts	Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips calories per serving (15g): 70 total fat: 4.5g (6%) saturated fat 3g (14%) trans fat 0g cholesterol <5mg (1%) sodium 10mg (0%) total carbohydrate 9g (3%) dietary fibre <1g (2%) total sugars 8g includes 7g added sugars (15%) protein 1g vitamin D 0.1 mcg (0%) iron 0.8mg (4%) calcium 20mg (2%) potassium 60mg (0%) Hershey's Zero Sugar Milk Chocolate Chips calories per serving (15g): 60 total fat: 5g (6%) saturated fat 3g (15%) trans fat 0g cholesterol 0mg (0%) sodium 0mg (0%) total carbohydrate 9g (3%) dietary fibre 1g (4%) total sugars 0g includes 0g added sugars (0%) sugar alcohols 7g protein <1g vitamin D 0 mcg (0%) iron 1.5mg (8%) calcium 0mg (0%) potassium 65mg (2%) Can be seen in images 1B and 2B.
Irradiation	N/A
List of Ingredients and Allergens	Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips Ingredient List: Milk Chocolate (Sugar; Chocolate; Skim Milk; Cocoa Butter; Milk Fat; Lecithin (Soy); Natural Flavor) The Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips contains Lecithin (soy) in the ingredients which may cause allergies. Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips Ingredient List: Maltitol; Chocolate Processed with Alkali; Cocoa Butter; Contains 2% or less of: Lecithin (Soy); Natural Flavor; Milk* (*Adds a negligible amount of sugar. Individuals sensitive to sugar may experience a laxative effect. The Zero Sugar lists milk and lecithin (soy) as an allergen.
Sweeteners	Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips: Maltitol
Food Additives	Hershey's Milk Chocolate Chips: Lecithin Hershey's Zero Sugar Chocolate Chips: Maltitol, lecithin
Claim and Statements	The front of both packages (images 1A and 2A) state that they contain: no artificial colours or flavours no preservatives gluten free

References

This Food Science resource was created by Course:FNH200.