Chocolate from the United Arab Emirates contains a number of harmful ingredients

Samples of so-called “Dubai” chocolate imported into Germany contained numerous dangerous substances, the consumer protection ministry in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg announced.

All eight samples analyzed by the provincial Agency for Chemical and Veterinary Research found contamination, allergens, artificial colors, and fats other than cocoa butter, the only permitted fat in chocolate.

The tested products were imported from the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. Some chocolates contained sesame, which was not marked on the packaging, while others contained palm oil, which was also not declared.

The analyses showed that the chocolate from the United Arab Emirates was so contaminated during production that it was not suitable for human consumption. In addition, a large amount of artificial colors was found in all samples, which create a false impression of a higher content of quality ingredients, such as pistachio cream. Dubai chocolate has become very popular in Germany in recent months, especially at Christmas markets.