FDA Could Change Chocolate!

[aguynamedrobert]

There is proposed change in standard of what "Chocolate" is being reviewed by the FDA right now. What this proposed FDA law would do is make it so that up to 100% of the cocoa butter in chocolate could be replaced by vegetable fats and they could still call it Chocolate! So when you buy a bar of "fine chocolate" there would be a possibility that there is vegetable fats in it and not cocoa butter.

Cocoa butter is important because of the way it melts. If this change occurs the companies that use vegetable fats will have chocolate that will have a horrible melting property and ruin the taste and feel of the chocolate.

This law will confuse people on what real chocolate is in a time when people WANT REAL CHOCOLATE!

So write in to the FDA! All the instructions are on the link below and it only takes a minute. Go tell them that you don't want to allow vegetable oils in Chocolate!

Don't Mess With Our Chocolate

Robert Noel
Chocolate Guild :: The Chocolate Connoisseur's Home Base

[Uncle Bob]

Robert...

Who is the "lobby" behind such a change? Who benefits?
The people who stand to gain are the ones who need tapping on the shoulder by the consumer.

[aguynamedrobert]

The CMA "Chocolate Manufacturers Association" is lobbying it to the FDA...Most of the Manufacturers apart of that association are big manufacturers and would bennfit to be able to call more of their products chocolate. But the FDA is hearing all consumers till April 26th and what they have to say about it so write in if you can...

Robert Noel
Chocolate Guild :: The Chocolate Connoisseur's Home Base

[PA Baker]

Thanks, Robert. I hadn't heard about this--how terrible! I'll be sure to look at the site.

[bethzaring]

Oh No, the margarine of chocolate......YUCK......

[Katie E]

That is just soooooo NOT RIGHT!! They'll hear from me for sure.

[aguynamedrobert]

Great! Thanks for everyone getting involved...let the FDA know you want your chocolate real...

Have a good one,
Robert Noel
Chocolate Guild :: The Chocolate Connoisseur's Home Base
Chocolatier Noël - Gourmet Chocolate Tastings

[Quadlex]

How do they propose to make things taste like chocolate if there's no cocoa in them at all? And, why would there be a DECREASE in purity, when common opinion and strategy is going the other way?

As far as I can see it, the FDA would be in gross breech of their duties if they approve that foods are labelled according to their chemical flavourings, not their constitution.

[lulu]

I seem to remember that this is already the case with UK (cheap/big brand) chocolate? They did taste tests on the continent where it is not so and people liked the UK one of the same brand better, rofl. I am happy to be corrected though if this is no longer the case in the UK!

[aguynamedrobert]

The Uk allows up to 5% vegetable fat in a chocolate bar at the pressent moment...this new law in the USA would allow ALL the fat in chocolate to be vegetable oil...

Have a great day,
Robert Noel
Chocolate Guild :: The Chocolate Connoisseur's Home Base