BlogHer - FDA Proposes Changes in Standards for Chocolate - Comments

The FDA shall not mess with

Deaf Mom — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 18:06:01 -0500

The FDA shall not mess with a peri-menopausal woman who needs her chocolate!

Heading over there now.

Karen
"Life is too short to pout all the time."
A Deaf Mom Shares Her World
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Say What? Messing with my chocolate? No, no, no!

Dana J. Tuszke — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:13:58 -0500

As a chocolate lover, I can't let this happen! I'm going to submit my protest right now!

Dana from The Dana Files.

Thanks cybele

marymbauer — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:48:46 -0500

Cybele: Thanks for the info and FDA link. I did fill out the form and voiced my protest.

http://www.marymbauer.com

The Chocolate Manufacturers Association is behind the change

cybele — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:04:34 -0500

Marymbauer - The CMA is behind this proposed change. The CMA is made up by "big chocolate" which is Hersheys, Mars, Nestle, Cargill, ADM, World's Finest and Guittard (whom I know opposes this change).

I hope everyone takes a moment to fill out the FDA comment form to let them know that they're supposed to be working for the CONSUMERS and we do not approve of this.

This is serious!

marymbauer — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:48:05 -0500

Hi Kalyn -- When you're talking about chocolate you've got my attention. The FDA has already "fudged" the credentials on plenty of other products -- sufficiently so that most consumers no longer know what is "real" food and what isn't.

I say NO! Do not let them redefine chocolate. And more importantly, who exactly is paying them to do so? Hmmm??

FDA Proposes Changes in Standards for Chocolate

Kalyn Denny — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:09:52 -0500

[img_assist|fid=3551|thumb=1|alt=Keep it Real]
Keep It Real image created by Cybele at Candy Blog.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls the definition of what can be called "chocolate." Now they're proposing a change in standards, and some influential food bloggers are speaking out against it.

The new standards would allow products that don't contain cocoa butter, the ingredient that gives chocolate it's beloved "mouth feel," to start being labeled as "chocolate." Cybele at Candyblog is urging readers to tell the FDA Don't Mess With Our Chocolate, pointing out that not only do the chocolate products with other fats taste oily, but they may contain trans fats or saturated fats, which are proven to raise cholesterol.

Another food blogger who's joined the protest is Kate of Accidental Hedonist, who's long been a vocal critic of the FDA. Kate agrees that new chocolate standards won't benefit consumers and maintains that the desire to change what is defined as chocolate is driven purely by corporate greed.

Do you think lowering standards for what is defined as chocolate is something that should be allowed? If not, you can visit either of these blogs or the main site for Don't Mess With Our Chocolate to get involved. Public comments must be submitted to the FDA by April 25, 2007.

Food Editor Kalyn Denny also blogs (sometimes while eating dark chocolate) at Kalyn's Kitchen.