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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.