Milk chocolate vs Dark chocolate
Most dark chocolate above 70% cocoa contains no milk at all. It carries several times the flavanol content and five times the iron of milk chocolate.
Per per 100 g
Greenhouse gaseskg CO₂e / kg
Milk chocolate
5.6
Dark chocolate
4.2
Saturated fatg / 100 g
Milk chocolate
19
Dark chocolate
18
Flavanolsrelative
Milk chocolate
1
Dark chocolate
4
Iron% RDA / 100 g
Milk chocolate
13
Dark chocolate
67
Source: Poore & Nemecek (2018), Science · Our World in Data · USDA FoodData Central
Verdict
Dark chocolate at 70%+ is dairy-free by default and far richer in flavanols and iron.
Questions people ask
Is all dark chocolate vegan?
Not automatically — some brands add milk fat or share equipment. Check for milk in the ingredient list.