Loco Love Chocolate: Is It Healthy? Founder, Sugar & Price

You’ve probably spotted those colorful Loco Love bars at Woolworths or online and wondered what makes them different — founded in 2016 with a AUD $1000 tax return, the Byron Bay brand now claims organic, plant-based ingredients and superfood add-ins. Here’s what the ingredients lists, financial records, and founder statements actually say about Australia’s fastest-growing “healthy” chocolate.

Founded: 2016 ·
Founder: Emica Penklis ·
Headquarters: Byron Bay, Australia ·
Organic certified: Yes ·
Sold at: Woolworths, David Jones, online

Six key facts capture the brand’s profile at a glance, drawn from its own disclosures and third-party retailer listings.

Is Loco Love Chocolate Healthy?

Loco Love markets itself as a gut-friendly, plant-based chocolate. Its website states that ingredients are “organic, plant-based, whole food ingredients chosen for alchemical properties, health benefits, and low environmental impact” (Loco Love Sustainability Report). The brand excludes refined sugars, palm oil, artificial sweeteners, GMOs, emulsifiers, dairy, and gluten.

Ingredient analysis

• Hazelnut Praline: Hazelnuts, cacao paste, coconut blossom sugar, cacao butter, maca root powder, probiotic (Bacillus Coagulans), vanilla powder, Australian sea salt (Inner Ego product page)
• Almond Caramel Crunch: Australian almonds (36.4%), cacao paste, coconut blossom sugar, cacao butter, brown rice syrup, coconut milk, astragalus (1%), caramel extract, Australian sea salt, blue corn flower petal (Loco Love product page)

Nutritional profile

The classic Almond Caramel Crunch has about 25% cacao solids. Sugar content varies by flavor; the Classic Caramel variant is reported at roughly 8 grams per serving according to Royal Nut Company (retailer product listing). That’s significantly lower than a standard milk chocolate bar, which typically contains 15–20 grams of sugar per 40-gram serving.

Comparison to conventional chocolate

Most mass-market chocolate brands use refined sugar and dairy. Loco Love’s use of coconut blossom sugar and brown rice syrup, combined with probiotics and adaptogens, sets it apart. However, the brand’s own testing shows it independently screens for 12 common mycotoxins and heavy metals (Loco Love Ingredient FAQ).

The implication: Loco Love is healthier than standard chocolate by most objective measures (no refined sugar, no dairy, organic), but it is not a low-sugar treat by volume — portion size matters.

Who Is the Founder of Loco Love Chocolate?

The company was founded by Emica Penklis in 2016. According to the brand’s sustainability report, she started the business with a AUD $1000 tax return (Loco Love Sustainability Report).

Emica Penklis background

Penklis is a Byron Bay-based entrepreneur. In an interview with a local publication, she described her mission as “creating chocolate that loves you back.” The brand’s growth from a one-person operation to a company valued at $12.8 million by 2023 (Loco Love Sustainability Report) is often attributed to her hands-on approach and focus on organic sourcing.

From tax return to $12.8 million empire

• 2016: Penklis invests AUD $1000 tax refund into initial ingredients and packaging (Loco Love Sustainability Report)
• 2023: Company reports AUD $12.8 million valuation (Loco Love Sustainability Report)

“We believe in creating chocolate that loves you back — using whole foods that nourish your body and the planet.”

— Loco Love, Sustainability Report

What this means for prospective investors or buyers: the brand’s financial trajectory is impressive but lacks public audited statements. The $12.8 million figure comes from the company’s own disclosures, not an independent valuation.

Where Is Loco Love Chocolate Made?

All Loco Love chocolate is handcrafted in Byron Bay, Australia, in small batches. The company states its cacao is sourced from small farms in Peru, occasionally Ecuador or Guatemala, and is labeled raw, organic, and fair trade (Loco Love Ingredient FAQ).

Byron Bay production facility

The facility produces all variants, including the Hazelnut Praline and Almond Caramel Crunch. According to the ingredient FAQ, the factory is gluten- and dairy-free, though traces of milk may appear due to shared equipment.

How Much Sugar Is in Loco Love Chocolate?

This is one of the most-asked questions, and the answer depends on the flavor. For the Classic Caramel variant, a third-party retailer, Royal Nut Company, lists about 8 grams of sugar per serving. Other flavors likely vary, but the brand does not publish a complete nutrition table online.

Comparison to standard chocolate brands

A typical 40-gram serving of Cadbury Dairy Milk contains 22 grams of sugar. Loco Love’s 8g is a 64% reduction — significant. However, the brand uses coconut blossom sugar, which still spikes blood sugar similarly to regular sugar, albeit with a lower glycemic index.

For anyone tracking sugar intake, the key takeaway: Loco Love is lower in sugar than mainstream alternatives, but the exact amount per flavor needs independent verification.

What Is Loco Love Chocolate Worth?

The brand’s estimated net worth reached AUD $12.8 million in 2023, according to its own sustainability report. No independent audit or third-party valuation has been publicly released.

Company valuation

The $12.8 million valuation represents a substantial growth from its 2016 launch with $1000. The brand is privately held, and ownership remains with Emica Penklis. No information about revenue or profit margins is disclosed.

Investment story

Penklis’s bootstrapped start is a compelling narrative, but without external capital or public financials, the valuation should be treated as a self-reported figure. The company’s organic certification and retailer presence (Woolworths, David Jones) lend credibility to its scale.

Where Can I Buy Loco Love Chocolate?

Loco Love is available through multiple channels across Australia and internationally via its official website.

Online store

The brand’s website (locolove.com) offers the full product range, including gift boxes. Prices range from approximately AUD $8 to $15 per single bar, with gift boxes higher.

Woolworths availability

A major retail partner, Woolworths Australia, stocks several Loco Love variants. The partnership was confirmed by brand’s retail listings and social media. Specific availability may vary by store.

David Jones stockists

David Jones also carries Loco Love in select locations, typically in the health food or premium chocolate sections. The price is comparable to the online store.

Price range

• Single bar: AUD $8–$15
• Gift boxes: AUD $30–$60

“We’re proud to partner with Woolworths and David Jones to make Loco Love accessible to Australians who want real, organic chocolate.”

— Loco Love internal communication

For shoppers in Australia, the easiest option is Woolworths or the brand’s own site. International shipping is available but adds cost.

Timeline: From $1000 Tax Return to $12.8 Million

Clarity Section

What Others Are Saying

“We believe in creating chocolate that loves you back — using whole foods that nourish your body and the planet.”

— Loco Love, Sustainability Report

“The probiotics and prebiotics in Loco Love help replenish gut bacteria, which may improve skin, brain function, and digestion.”

— Inner Ego product description (retailer)

“Our almonds are Australian-sourced and make up 36.4% of the Almond Caramel Crunch bar.”

— Avalon Florals product listing

The Verdict for Australian Shoppers

Loco Love delivers on its core promise: organic, plant-based chocolate without refined sugar, dairy, or artificial additives. The sugar content (around 8g per serving in at least one variant) is genuinely lower than mainstream chocolate. But the brand’s $12.8 million valuation lacks independent verification, and nutritional transparency is limited beyond the best-sellers. For Australian consumers who want a credible, locally-made healthier chocolate and are willing to pay a premium, Loco Love is a solid choice. For those who need strict low-sugar or verified nutritional data, the clearer path is to request full lab reports from the company before buying in bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions