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Chocolate without emulsifiers: UK bars we've checked

Published 29 October 2026

Yes, some chocolate has no emulsifiers. The easiest place to look is dark chocolate at 85% to 100% cocoa, where the list is often just cocoa mass, cocoa butter and maybe sugar.

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Most milk and white chocolate in the UK uses an emulsifier. The most common is lecithin. This guide shows the bars we've found without one.

Does chocolate have emulsifiers?

A lot of it does. Emulsifiers help chocolate flow when it is made. That makes it easier to shape into bars.

These are the ones you will see most:

  • E322 lecithins: often "soya lecithin" or "sunflower lecithin"
  • E476 polyglycerol polyricinoleate: often shortened to PGPR
  • E442 ammonium phosphatides

All three are on the FSA's list of approved additives.

Some people choose chocolate without emulsifiers. Some want a shorter list. Some avoid soya or sunflower. We don't make claims either way. We just show what's on the label.

What chocolate has no emulsifiers?

These bars have no emulsifiers at all. We checked every list.

100% bars (no sugar):

85% to 90% bars (a little sugar):

The 100% bars are just cocoa. Some add cocoa nibs. The 85% to 90% bars add a small amount of sugar. The Raw Halo bar uses coconut sugar.

Under our rules, added sugar is left out of most foods. We make one exception: dark chocolate that is 85% cocoa or more. That's why these bars are on the list.

Is soya lecithin in chocolate?

Often, yes. Soya lecithin is one of the most common emulsifiers in UK chocolate. You will also see sunflower lecithin.

Soya is one of the 14 allergens. UK rules say allergens must stand out on the list, often in bold. So "soya lecithin" may be in bold.

How to check a chocolate label

  1. Find "Ingredients" on the back of the wrapper.
  2. Look for the word "emulsifier".
  3. Look for "lecithin", "E322", "E476", "PGPR" or "E442".
  4. If you see none, the bar has no emulsifiers.

Also check the cocoa number. It should say "cocoa solids X% minimum". A higher number means more cocoa and less of everything else.

Chocolate words on a label

These words come up a lot. Here's what they mean:

  • Cocoa mass: ground cocoa beans. Also called cocoa liquor or cacao mass.
  • Cocoa butter: the fat from cocoa beans. It is not dairy butter.
  • Cocoa powder: cocoa with some of the fat taken out.
  • Cocoa nibs: small bits of crushed cocoa bean.
  • Vanilla or flavouring: added for taste. Our rules leave out "flavouring".

Is 70% dark chocolate free from emulsifiers?

Some 70% bars are. Many are not. It depends on the brand. Check the list.

We don't list 70% bars on this page. That's because they have more added sugar than our rules allow.

Where can I find these bars?

  • Ocado stocks Lindt 90% and Willie's 100%.
  • Planet Organic stocks Vivani and Raw Halo.
  • Montezuma's and Pump Street sell online and in some shops.

Stock changes from shop to shop, so check near you.

Will chocolate without emulsifiers taste different?

A bit. Very dark chocolate is bitter. It can also feel a little thicker in your mouth. Many people find they enjoy it more after a few squares.

Here are some ways to enjoy it:

  • with berries or a slice of orange
  • melted over Greek yoghurt
  • in baking, as a swap for milk chocolate

Recipes with 85% chocolate

See our full chocolate without emulsifiers list for more bars.

FAQ

What chocolate has no lecithin? Many 85% to 100% dark bars. See the six above.

Is Lindt 90% free from emulsifiers? The bar we checked lists cocoa mass, cocoa butter, low fat cocoa powder and sugar. No emulsifiers. Check the wrapper in case the recipe changes.

What is PGPR in chocolate? It is E476, polyglycerol polyricinoleate. It is an emulsifier used to help chocolate flow.

Is there milk chocolate without emulsifiers? A few small brands make some. We haven't found one that passes our other rules yet.

Sources

  • GOV.UK (FSA), Approved additives and E numbers: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approved-additives-and-e-numbers/approved-additives-and-e-numbers
  • GOV.UK (FSA), Packaging and labelling (allergens): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/packaging-and-labelling/packaging-and-labelling

Holding a bar of chocolate? Take a photo of the label in The Better Basket, and we'll check it for you.

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