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IOL News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Dubai chocolate bar under fire: health warning issued over allergen risk
The UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has raised significant concerns, stressing that, 'The product presents a serious risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts.' Image: TikTok If you've spent any time on TikTok or Instagram, you've probably seen it: the oozy, luxurious "Dubai chocolate" bar. Maybe you've even hunted it down at a local speciality shop or paid a premium to see the hype. But this week, a surprising and urgent health warning is making many chocolate fans pause before their next bite. According to Tatler Asia and the BBC, the bar was dreamed up by Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian chocolatier and founder of FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai. Inspired by her pregnancy cravings, she combined pistachio cream, tahini, and the popular Middle Eastern knafeh pastry inside a silky chocolate shell. Then, TikTok worked its usual magic, millions of views, mouth-watering unboxings, and a global pistachio obsession that even nudged pistachio prices up worldwide. In South Africa, you'll spot this bar on some boutique retailer shelves for an eye-watering R500 to R700 a pop, proof that no viral craving comes cheap. So, why is this chocolate being pulled from shelves? The buzz turned bitter when the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) raised a red flag this week. A version of the chocolate, called Neosis Schokolade Love of Dubai, sold by Black Sea Trading Ltd and stocked by World Market stores, contains peanuts, but this crucial allergen wasn't listed on its label. If you or someone you know has a peanut allergy, this missing detail isn't just a mistake; it's a serious health risk. 'The product presents a serious risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts,' the FSA warned in an official statement published on Shops have been told to 'immediately stop sales and undertake product withdrawals.' Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ Peanut allergies are no joke; they're one of the leading causes of severe food allergy reactions, and even tiny traces can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis in sensitive people. Peanut allergy affects a significant number of people, with prevalence rates varying by region and age group. In Western nations, it's estimated that 1-2% of the population has a peanut allergy. In the US, over 4 million people are affected by peanut allergies, with rates increasing in recent years. Studies have shown that peanut allergy is more common in children than adults, and prevalence rates can differ between urban and rural areas. 'The vast majority of food in the UK is safe, but some imported Dubai-style chocolate products don't meet our standards and could be a food safety risk, especially for consumers with allergies,' Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, told "The Independent". A British-Egyptian chocolatier from FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai created this luxury bar filled with pistachio cream and tahini. Image: TikTok Is anyone sick yet? So far, thankfully, no illnesses have been reported, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But that doesn't mean you should take a chance. The FSA's advice is clear: Don't buy it. Don't eat it. Dispose of it safely. If you already have one stashed away, toss it and let your local Trading Standards (in Great Britain) or Environmental Health Officers (in Northern Ireland) know where you bought it. The watchdog also raised concerns that these imported bars might be missing full ingredient lists altogether. Some versions could contain additives and food colours that aren't legal for sale in the UK, according to "The Independent". For people with food sensitivities, that's double trouble. Shops were told to immediately stop sales and pull the product from shelves, while customers were advised: don't eat it, especially if you have a peanut allergy. Dispose of it safely, and let authorities know where you bought it, stressed the FSA. In the UK, food laws require any of 14 major allergens to be clearly labelled. But as "The Independent" reports, many imported 'Dubai chocolate' bars don't include a full ingredient list or proper allergen warnings, simply because they weren't originally made for sale in the UK or the US. No recalls have been issued in South Africa yet.
Indianapolis Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Here's where to find Dubai chocolate-inspired shakes, lattes and cookies
Dubai chocolate bars, known for their hard-shell chocolate exterior and creamy, nutty green center, have taken over social media for months. In addition to countless "dupes," or replicas, of the viral chocolate, some brands have released their own products that pull inspiration from the dessert. Shake Shack released a Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, Costco stocked After's Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Bars and Starbucks has promoted a make-it-your own Dubai chocolate beverage. Notable brands that have released their own Dubai chocolate bars include Trader Joe's and Lindt, the latter of which launched its Dubai Style Chocolate Bar in major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Walgreens and Kroger, on Monday, July 7. Here's a look at some of the products floating around the Dubai chocolate flavor atmosphere. More Dubai chocolate: Lindt has released a Dubai chocolate bar: Here's where to buy it How to buy: Trader Joe's sells viral Dubai chocolate bars for 5 times less than original price In June, Shake Shack released its Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake across the U.S. The shake is made with pistachio frozen custard, toasted kataifi (shredded phyllo), a dark chocolate shell and topped with chopped pistachios and kataifi. The shakes start at $9.49. A Shake Shack spokesperson told USA TODAY that the shakes will be available at participating locations through August, though due to availability and ingredients, each location will sell a limited amount of shakes per day. After Hours Ice Cream, based in California, released a Dubai chocolate ice cream bar earlier this summer. However, as of July 10, the ice cream bars did not appear on the Costco website. Neither Costco nor After Hours immediately responded when contacted by USA TODAY on July 10. Crave Cookies has released two Dubai chocolate-inspired items, a cookie and strawberry cup. According to the Crave Cookies website, the cookie is made with chocolate dough and stuffed with kunafa pistachio filling and layered with milk and white chocolate icing and crispy, toasted kataifi. The cookie is available at participating locations through Thursday, July 10. The Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup is made with house-made pistachio cream, milk chocolate ganache, crushed pistachios, strawberries and topped with shredded kataifi and crushed chocolate chip cookies, per the Crave Cookies website. Starbucks hasn't officially released a Dubai chocolate drink, but the chain crafted up a "secret" menu item it feels fits the taste and aesthetic. Starbucks recommends the following order to sip on a Dubai chocolate-inspired drink: The original Dubai chocolate bar is made by FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is called "Can't Get Knafeh Of It." A six-pack of bars costs $120 on the FIX Dessert Chocolatier website, making one bar $20. The chocolate bar was released in 2022 when FIX Dessert Chocolatier Founder Sarah Hamouda wished to satisfy her pregnancy cravings for knafeh (a Middle Eastern dessert made with pastry dough, sweet cheese and syrup) and pistachio, BBC reported. "Can't Get Knafeh Of It" first went viral in 2023, when content creator Maria Vehera posted a TikTok of her trying the luxury chocolate bar. As of July 10, the video has more than 131 million views. Countless brands have made their own versions, or "dupes" of the viral chocolate bar, including Florida-based Bolci ($19 for one bar) and New York City-based The Nuts Factory ($50 for two bars) and countless homemade recipes on Etsy.
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Here's where to find Dubai chocolate-inspired shakes, lattes and cookies
The original Dubai chocolate bar went viral in 2023, when content creator Maria Vehera posted a TikTok video of her trying the luxury dessert. Dubai chocolate bars, known for their hard-shell chocolate exterior and creamy, nutty green center, have taken over social media for months. In addition to countless "dupes," or replicas, of the viral chocolate, some brands have released their own products that pull inspiration from the dessert. Shake Shack released a Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, Costco stocked After's Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream Bars and Starbucks has promoted a make-it-your own Dubai chocolate beverage. Notable brands that have released their own Dubai chocolate bars include Trader Joe's and Lindt, the latter of which launched its Dubai Style Chocolate Bar in major retailers, including Walmart, Target, Walgreens and Kroger, on Monday, July 7. Here's a look at some of the products floating around the Dubai chocolate flavor atmosphere. Shake Shack In June, Shake Shack released its Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake across the U.S. The shake is made with pistachio frozen custard, toasted kataifi (shredded phyllo), a dark chocolate shell and topped with chopped pistachios and kataifi. The shakes start at $9.49. A Shake Shack spokesperson told USA TODAY that the shakes will be available at participating locations through August, though due to availability and ingredients, each location will sell a limited amount of shakes per day. Costco After Hours Ice Cream, based in California, released a Dubai chocolate ice cream bar earlier this summer. However, as of July 10, the ice cream bars did not appear on the Costco website. Neither Costco nor After Hours immediately responded when contacted by USA TODAY on July 10. Crave Cookies Crave Cookies has released two Dubai chocolate-inspired items, a cookie and strawberry cup. According to the Crave Cookies website, the cookie is made with chocolate dough and stuffed with kunafa pistachio filling and layered with milk and white chocolate icing and crispy, toasted kataifi. The cookie is available at participating locations through Thursday, July 10. The Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup is made with house-made pistachio cream, milk chocolate ganache, crushed pistachios, strawberries and topped with shredded kataifi and crushed chocolate chip cookies, per the Crave Cookies website. Starbucks Starbucks hasn't officially released a Dubai chocolate drink, but the chain crafted up a "secret" menu item it feels fits the taste and aesthetic. Starbucks recommends the following order to sip on a Dubai chocolate-inspired drink: What is the viral Dubai chocolate bar? The original Dubai chocolate bar is made by FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and is called "Can't Get Knafeh Of It." A six-pack of bars costs $120 on the FIX Dessert Chocolatier website, making one bar $20. The chocolate bar was released in 2022 when FIX Dessert Chocolatier Founder Sarah Hamouda wished to satisfy her pregnancy cravings for knafeh (a Middle Eastern dessert made with pastry dough, sweet cheese and syrup) and pistachio, BBC reported. "Can't Get Knafeh Of It" first went viral in 2023, when content creator Maria Vehera posted a TikTok of her trying the luxury chocolate bar. As of July 10, the video has more than 131 million views. Countless brands have made their own versions, or "dupes" of the viral chocolate bar, including Florida-based Bolci ($19 for one bar) and New York City-based The Nuts Factory ($50 for two bars) and countless homemade recipes on Etsy. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Lindt has released a Dubai chocolate bar: Here's where to buy it
The original Dubai chocolate bar is made by FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A six-pack of the bars cost $120. The internet-famous Dubai chocolate bar is making its way to major retailers, as Lindt has released its own version of the viral dessert. Lindt launched a limited-run of its Dubai Style Chocolate Bar in Walmart, Target, Kroger, and other retailers on Monday, July 7. The milk chocolate bar is filled with pistachio paste, kadayif (shredded phyllo dough), sugar-coated pistachios and hazelnuts. Lindt first launched its Dubai Style Chocolate Bars in December 2024 and then again in June. The bars quickly sold out, an indicator that a more widespread launch of the bars would be successful, a news release states. Interested in getting your hands on one of the chocolate bars? Here's what to know. More Dubai chocolate: Trader Joe's sells viral Dubai chocolate bars for 5 times less than original price Where are the Lindt Dubai chocolate bars available? The Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar is available at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Walgreens, Kroger, Albertson's, Meijer, Publix, Stop & Shop, Hannaford and Hy-Vee, a news release states. The chocolate bar is also available on the Lindt website. When are the Lindt Dubai chocolate bars available? Lindt launched the specialty chocolate bar on Monday, July 7. The bars are available for a limited time, while supplies last. According to the Kroger website, the bars won't be available at the chain until July 14. How much do the Lindt Dubai chocolate bars cost? The Lindt Dubai Style Chocolate Bar is $15, according to Lindt. Kroger also lists the bar at the $15 price point. Prices have not been listed yet for any other retailer. What is the viral Dubai chocolate bar? The original Dubai chocolate bar is called "Can't Get Knafeh Of It" and is made by FIX Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A six-pack of bars costs $120 on the FIX Dessert Chocolatier website, making one bar $20. The chocolate bar was released in 2022 when FIX Dessert Chocolatier Founder Sarah Hamouda wished to satisfy her pregnancy cravings for knafeh (a Middle Eastern dessert made with pastry dough, sweet cheese and syrup) and pistachio, as reported by BBC. "Can't Get Knafeh Of It" first went viral in 2023, when content creator Maria Vehera posted a TikTok video of her trying the luxury chocolate bar. As of July 10, the video had more than 131 million views. Countless brands have made their own versions, or "dupes" of the viral chocolate bar, including Florida-based Bolci ($19 for one bar) and New York City-based The Nuts Factory ($50 for two bars) and countless homemade recipes on Etsy. Some brands have even released their own Dubai chocolate-inspired products, like Shake Shack's Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake, which is made with pistachio frozen custard, toasted kataifi and a dark chocolate shell. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
Time Out Dubai
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Where to find the OG viral Dubai chocolate (and the best dupes)
Haven't heard about the viral 'Dubai chocolate'? Then you need to hop onto an Instagram feed near you immediately. The first iteration of the now-global chocolate bar originated from Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, and its beloved 'Can't Get Knafeh of It' has been sold exclusively since 2022. FIX's famous creation, now known as the original Dubai chocolate bar, consists of a rich milk chocolate shell stuffed with green pistachio cream, crispy kataifi (shredded phyllo pastry) and tahini, which was inspired by the traditional Middle Eastern dessert Knafeh. Credit: Instagram @fixdessertchocolatier Although only available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, FIX's ultra-gooey bars have officially gone mainstream and have resulted in many chocolate fans around the globe trying to recreate them at home. It's so good, it's even triggered other brands to create competitive versions too (more of that later!). You might also like: 8 Dubai chefs reveal what they really think of viral FIX chocolate Not only is the viral Dubai chocolate unique, but it's also hard to get your hands on, as FIX only releases two batches per day online and they're usually quick sell-outs. Desperate to try? Here are our tips on where to buy a bar or where to get the best dupes instead. Where can I buy the original Dubai chocolate? Whether it's the classic kunafeh or a bit of baklawa you're after, you need to act quickly. Founded by British-Egyptian Dubai expat Sarah Hamouda, each piece of FIX chocolate is homemade, with designs painted on its surface. Crafted with care, the limited supply makes them all the more sought after. Currently, FIX Dessert's main shop is online only, and you can only order from the Deliveroo app. Going live daily at 2pm and 5pm, if you're ordering on Deliveroo a box of 6 different flavours will cost you Dhs385.50, or a mini box comes with 10 smaller pieces of chocolate from Dhs189. Make sure you're on the app at the time of release and don't hang about getting it in your basket either. The best viral Dubai chocolate dupes Break by Mara Ok so this isn't quite a chocolate bar – but hear us out. It has the kunafa pistachio, it has a gooey centre and it's encased in milk chocolate. Available in Dubai Valley 77, don't hang around – go get your slice. Daily 10am-midnight. Jumeirah 2, @breakbymara (050 871 9882). Chocoart UAE Only available in the store but you can come away with a kunafa pistachio bar for only Dhs20. Usually offering chocolate trays and towers for special occasions, Chocoart offers a budget-friendly version of the popular new snack. Open daily 8am-10pm. Muwaileh Commercial Industrial Area, Sharjah. @ (06 550 8832). Chocovana (Credit: Supplied) The custom-made chocolate company are known for their specially selected sweet treats, and now you can order its pistachio-stuffed bars – but it has to be in a big batch. If you're looking to seriously stock up, or perhaps source some party favours, you can order the bars in boxes of 100 at a time. Dhs12 per piece (minimum of 100 pieces), (04 271 5603). Chunk Bakehouse If you want a change from the chocolate bar, then this dreamcake might be exactly what you're looking for. Filled with a creamy pistachio filling, crispy kunafa underneath and of course, a generous layer of chocolate powder on the top. Priced at Dhs149, the cake is a great one to share with friends if you're feeling peckish. @ Hadoota Masreya Inspired by FIX Chocolate. Credit: Hadoota Masreya. This long-standing Egyptian restaurant is also taking part in the trend with a 'Dubai Feteer' filled with a mixture of crunchy kunafa and pistachio sauce, all topped with a drizzle of rich chocolate. This flaky, buttery pastry, a beloved staple in Egyptian cuisine, has been transformed into the viral dessert. Dhs75. Daily from 10am-midnight. Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Safa 1 (04 380 9000). Kadayifzade The Turkish sweet shop and café has also launched its own version of the bar and you can get it in person or on Deliveroo and Talabat. Usually costing around Dhs75 for one bar, you can try the kunafa filling in milk, dark and white chocolate. Various locations. Lava Cake UAE The cake shop has also joined on the kunafa chocolate trend, but unlike FIX, this is the only flavour you can pick up. Filled with pistachio, you can enjoy a full bar for Dhs35 and while you're there, try the molten kinder cake too (trust us). Open Sun-Thurs 10am-midnight, Fri-Sat 10am-1am. Jumeirah 3. (04 295 5541). L'ETO Cafe (Credit: Supplied) The cafe have put their own spin on that dreamy pistachio kunafa combination and have turned it into a cheesecake. A mixture of chocolate cream cheese, tahini, pistachio paste and condensed milk, it's topped with fresh blueberries and chocolate ganache – someone serve us a slice immediately. Dhs55 (slice), Dhs618.95 (full cheesecake). Multiple locations. Noon Minutes Crredit: Adobe The express website is known for coming out with some unique snacks (fried chicken ice cream we're talking about you). But now, the brand has joined the pistachio trend and has released the 'Big Daddy' bar. Partnered with Vocca, the 125g bar is also a more affordable option, priced online at just under Dhs23. Trove Trove Restaurant at Dubai Mall's Fashion Avenue has also jumped on the viral Dubai chocolate bandwagon. Its version of the Dubai Chocolate is a chocolate bar filled with decadent pistachio cream and layered with a crunchy kunafa topping. Available in two sizes, the dessert comes in a small portion priced at Dhs62 and a larger, shareable size for Dhs165, making it a perfect treat for a little solo indulgence and larger group gatherings. Dhs62 (single), Dhs165 (sharable). Trove Restaurants, Dubai Mall (04 347 7444). Viral Brands Viral Brands are selling dupes of the chocolate bars (Credit: Adobe) The dupe exists only on Deliveroo and sells copies of the viral chocolate as well as energy drinks and ice creams. From the pistachio to a kinder kunafa (yum), each bar is priced at Dhs59. Still hungry? The Dubai restaurants and bars opening soon and we can't wait Get these hot spots on your radar 32 banging budget restaurants, as chosen by Dubai's top chefs Expert-approved cheap eats in town 101 best breakfasts to try in Dubai 2025 From eggs Benedict to full-on fry-ups here's where to kick off a morning in style
