High Risk

The Hershey Company — CRUNCHY CLUSTERS IN DARK CHOCOLATE, ALMONDS & BERRY

by The Hershey Company

MRT 176 Panel Triggers Identified

AlmondCane SugarCocoaCow's MilkLecithin (Soy)SoybeanRiceCornTapiocaFructoseHoneyCitric AcidCanola/RapeseedCranberryBlueberry
LEAP Phase Status: Phase 3 — Practitioner Guided

Clinical Product Assessment

MRT 176 Panel Safety Assessment

Clinical Narrative

This product contains 15 MRT-tested substances, including various grains, sweeteners, dairy components, and chemical additives. The complexity of the ingredient profile, combined with multiple high-frequency triggers like corn, soy, and dairy, makes this product unsuitable for the elimination or early reintroduction phases of the LEAP protocol.

Flagged Ingredient Mapping

Ingredient Maps To (MRT Panel) Match Type
almonds Almond DIRECT_MATCH
sugar Cane Sugar DIRECT_MATCH
chocolate Cocoa DIRECT_MATCH
cocoa butter Cocoa DIRECT_MATCH
milk fat Cow’s Milk DIRECT_MATCH
milk Cow’s Milk DIRECT_MATCH
lecithin (soy) Lecithin (Soy) DIRECT_MATCH
lecithin (soy) Soybean DIRECT_MATCH
rice flour Rice DIRECT_MATCH
corn syrup Corn DIRECT_MATCH
tapioca starch Tapioca DIRECT_MATCH
fructose Fructose CHEMICAL_MATCH
honey Honey DIRECT_MATCH
citric acid Citric Acid CHEMICAL_MATCH
canola oil Canola/Rapeseed DIRECT_MATCH
cranberry juice concentrate Cranberry DIRECT_MATCH
blueberry juice concentrate Blueberry DIRECT_MATCH

Unknown / Ambiguous Ingredients

The following ingredients could not be definitively mapped: natural flavor, confectioner’s glaze, pectin, malic acid

This is procedural data interpretation, not medical guidance. Always consult your Certified LEAP Therapist.

Understanding These Triggers

🌰
Almond

Tree nut tested individually on the MRT panel. Almond flour and almond milk are common substitutes in elimination diets — verify your personal MRT results before using.

🍬
Cane Sugar

Cane sugar sensitivity is specific to sugarcane-derived sweeteners and is distinct from glucose intolerance. Look for it in ingredient lists as sucrose, cane juice, or turbinado sugar.

🍫
Cocoa

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is tested as a standalone substance. Reactivity to cocoa affects all chocolate-containing products. Distinct from dairy or sugar reactions that often co-occur in chocolate.

🥛
Cow's Milk

One of the most commonly reactive substances on the MRT panel. Found in dairy products and many processed foods as whey, casein, or milk solids. Cross-reactive with goat and sheep milk in some patients.

🧪
Lecithin (Soy)

Soy lecithin is one of the most ubiquitous food additives, used as an emulsifier in chocolate, baked goods, and margarine. Even small amounts can trigger mediator release in sensitive patients.

🫘
Soybean

Soy-derived ingredients appear in a wide range of processed foods including soy lecithin, soybean oil, and textured soy protein. One of the most prevalent hidden triggers.

🍚
Rice

Rice is often used as a "safe" base in elimination diets, but some patients do react to it. Verify with your MRT results before assuming rice is safe for your Phase 1 rotation.

🌽
Corn

Corn derivatives are among the hardest triggers to avoid. Found as corn syrup, cornstarch, modified food starch, dextrose, maltodextrin, and citric acid in thousands of processed products.

🫘
Tapioca

Tapioca (cassava-derived starch) is MRT-tested. Increasingly used as a gluten-free thickener, in boba tea, puddings, and as modified food starch. Common in allergen-free baking.

🍬
Fructose

Fructose is tested independently from cane sugar on the MRT panel. Found as high-fructose corn syrup, agave nectar, and crystalline fructose. MRT tests inflammatory mediator response, not malabsorption.

🍯
Honey

Honey is tested as a distinct substance on the MRT panel. It contains proteins that can trigger mediator release independently of its sugar content. Found in many "natural" sweetened products.

⚗️
Citric Acid

A chemical additive tested on the MRT panel. Industrially produced from Aspergillus niger mold, not citrus fruit. Found in beverages, canned goods, candy, and as a preservative in thousands of products.

🌿
Canola/Rapeseed

Canola oil (derived from rapeseed) is an MRT-tested substance. It is one of the most common cooking oils in processed foods and restaurant cooking. Look for it in fried foods, dressings, and baked goods.

🫐
Blueberry

Blueberry is an MRT-tested berry found in breakfast cereals, muffins, yogurts, and juice blends. Also common in supplements and "superfood" products.

What This Means For Your Diet

With 15 identified triggers, this product has a high concentration of MRT-tested substances. The probability that at least one of these triggers is reactive on your personal panel is statistically significant.

This product is not recommended during Phase 1 (Elimination) or Phase 2 (Reintroduction). It may only be considered during Phase 3 (Maintenance) after your Certified LEAP Therapist has confirmed that all 15 substances scored Green on your individual MRT results.

Products with 3 or more MRT panel triggers require individualized evaluation. Do not attempt to self-assess — your CLT has the clinical training to weigh multiple reactive substances and potential cross-reactivity.

Full Ingredient List

almonds, sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk fat, milk, lecithin (soy), lecithin (soy), rice flour, corn syrup, tapioca starch, fructose, honey, citric acid, canola oil, cranberry juice concentrate, blueberry juice concentrate

More from The Hershey Company

UPC: 068437912167 Last Updated: April 26, 2026

🩸 Need Your MRT Blood Drawn?

Locate an approved phlebotomist for the 4.5mL Blue Top Kit near you.

Find Locations

Find a LEAP Therapist

Get personalized guidance from a Certified LEAP Therapist in your area.

Browse Practitioners
Medical Disclaimer: This data is algorithmically generated based on USDA databases and is not medical advice. Always consult your Certified LEAP Therapist.