CHOCOLATE LOVERS ALERT: The FDA is going to redefine Chocolate

[hedgehog]

The plan is to redefine chocolate to allow manufactures to add vegetable oils (including trans-fatty acids) to cocoa in place of cocoa butter and call the resulting mess chocolate. In addition, milk chocolate will not have to be made with milk.

To find out more, and to register your opposition with the FDA, go to this Web site:

http://dontmesswithourchocolate.guittard.com/whatsthisabout.asp

DAMN! Is there nothing the Bushies aren't trying to foul up?

[Captain Hilts]

1. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! nt

[Demeter]

2. GAG!

CAll it something, but not chocolate. Call it Chocolate-A for Adulterated.

[donsu]

3. the neo cons ruin everything with their profits come first attitude

creeps

[tiptoe]

4. It's "BUSH-FDA" ...and "Bush-FEMA"..and "Bush-EPA"...Maggot Neocons are perverting US Government.

[C_U_L8R]

5. IS NOTHING SACRED !!

Keep your money grubbing filthy republican fingers off of my choco !!!!

What beasts !

[Initech]

6. God damn it, is there anything the profiteers wont touch?

It was bad enough when they switched everything to high-fructose corn syrup instead of sugar, now this. :argh:

[StarryNite]

7. Those SOBs!

They're going to have to pry my "real" chocolate out of my cold, dead hands.

Just when the positive health effects of chocolate are coming out more and more they want to ruin it. The * administration takes everything good away from us. If it doesn't cause illness and death, they don't want us to have it.

[SmokingJacket]

8. So there'll be more crap around called "chocolate."

Before, that gunk was just called "chocolate-flavored candy."

But the good stuff will still exist... http://www.lindt.com/2865/2866.asp

[rfranklin]

16. I was thinking that dog crap will be an acceptable ingredient...

'cause its caveat emptor capitalizm.

[SmokingJacket]

29. As long as they put in on the label.

Actually, I think transfats should be banned altogether. They're slow-acting poisons.

As long as the ingredients are all safe and accurately labelled, does it really matter whether it's called "chocolate" or "chocolate-flavored candy"? It's just candy, something you eat because it tastes good -- and if it has crap ingredients it will taste like crap. (On the other hand, the "organic" label is really meaningful -- it changes farming practices.) How many of us knew what defined "chcolate" anyway?

Chocolate manufacturers would be stupid to change their formulae because of this.

[StarryNite]

31. Oh, but you are wrong...

Chocolate, especially dark chocolate has many health benefits. For instance it is very high in antioxidants. Much higher than your wine.

Hot Cocoa Tops Red Wine And Tea In Antioxidants; May Be Healthier Choice

The study adds to growing evidence of the health benefits of cocoa and points to a tasty alternative in the quest to maintain a diet rich in healthy antioxidants, chemicals that have been shown to fight cancer, heart disease and aging, the researchers say.

~snip~

Using special analytical techniques to evaluate the total antioxidant content in each beverage, the researchers showed that, on a per serving basis, the antioxidant concentration in cocoa was the highest: It was almost 2 times stronger than red wine, 2-3 times stronger than green tea, and 4-5 times stronger than that of black tea.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/11/031106051159.htm

[SmokingJacket]

36. wrong about what?

About it being "candy"? Well, most of what they manufacture isn't the good dark stuff (that I eat several times a week WITH my wine!) but the shitty "chocolate" or "chocolate-flavored" coating on the outside of Ho-Ho's or Little Debbies or used in junk food that no one who cares about their health should be eating anyway, whether they call it "chocolate" or whatever.

And I bet a bar of Lindt that this ruling will have no effect on *real chocolate* whatsoever.

[StarryNite]

38. True

that there is a lot of garbage out there that is coated in the not so healthy chocolate. But they are going to make it even worse. And you know the saying, give them and inch and they'll take a mile. It's like boiling frogs, you just slowly turn up the heat and they don't even know they are being cooked. Little by little the food standards are lowered.

[SmokingJacket]

40. I think we should focus on what's actually IN the food, not

what we call it. I'm all for raising standards.

Persuading manufacturers to dump HFCS and transfats by not buying the garbage is a good start.

[StarryNite]

45. Yes raise the standards

and do not allow any standards to be lowered on food products. And for God's sake, quit importing grains from China or any place else that our farmers are capable of growing right here. Remember the slogan "Be American, Buy American"?

[Lorien]

20. Mmmmm...Lindt

one of my very favorites. The only sweets I regularly eat anymore are Lindt 65% or higher dark chocolates.:9

Another favorite: http://www.galler.com/rubriques/?keyRubrique=range_of_products&preview=1

[hedgehog]

9. Be sure to register your opinion with the FDA and pass this story on.

I can't believe that there has been nothing about this in the news!

[The Count]

10. If only for this, they earned my undying hate!

I'm spreading this around - try your GOP friends who happen to love chocolate - people tend to be passionate about this one!

[pnwmom]

11. Thank you, Hedgehog! I'm one of the alarmed!

[Hawkeye-X]

12. My wife is a chocoholic.

I'll have to show her that link and send it along to her dad, who is also a chocoholic.


I dabble in chocolates from time to time, but it is not my favorite treat, except for white chocolate, which I love.

[hedgehog]

15. What would you call white chocolate that doesn't contain cocoa butter?

I mean , at that point, you could label a block of sweetened lard as white chocolate!

[kestrel91316]

13. Everything Bush touches turns to SHIT. WTF is wrong with these people???

I gave the FDA an EARFUL (or an eyeful, as it were) about this.

[Lorien]

14. No, there is NOTHING they won't try to fuck up

amazing, mind boggling, idiotic! :grr:

[corkhead]

17. One step closer to the Chocolate Winston eats in 1984

[StarryNite]

22. OMG! You're right!

:grr:

[ginnyinWI]

75. and in a further development:

Our chocolate ration has just been increased from 6 oz. to 4 oz.!!

[no_hypocrisy]

18. * has really gone too far now.

To the Bastille, citizens!

[Xithras]

19. Everyone should submit their opposition.

The link in the OP has the information about how to do it. The FDA is still collecting public comments and hasn't ruled on this. You can submit your comments to the FDA through an online form and let your opposition be known.

If that fails, boycott manufacturers who sell fake chocolate.

[ClintonTyree]

21. How will this affect the nutritional value of chocolate jesus?

The saturated fats are going to skyrocket! :wow:

[Theres-a]

58. Tom Waits-Chocolate Jesus

*EXCERPT*

Well I dont want no anna zabba
Dont want no almond joy
There aint nothing better
Suitable for this boy
Well its the only thing
That can pick me up
Better than a cup of gold
See only a chocolate jesus
Can satisfy my soul


Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Good enough for me
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Good enough for me

Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Keep me satisfied

[grace0418]

23. I already limit my choices in chocolate to responsible, eco-friendly, fair-trade

companies. Companies that I feel confident will not try to slip crap into the chocolate no matter what the FDA says. Now I have that much more incentive to do so.

[The Count]

25. Trader Joe buys cocoa from growers directly, and chocolate from little manufacturers

But if they foul up the regular chocolate, good people won't be able to compete with the cheap swill...People will buy it the way they watch American Idol, and good chocolate will go away (or cost too much for me to afford it)

[grace0418]

51. As the poster below said, there are many reasons not to by Nestle's and Hershey's

but people still do. Even if this raises the price of good, real, fair-trade chocolate I will still buy it. I don't buy so much that an extra dollar per bar will break me.

I understand what you're saying and I support it, but I just think everyone should really go out of their way to avoid the companies that would take advantage of this FDA nonsense.

[Chovexani]

54. Hershey's tastes like shit anyway

How anyone can eat that crap is beyond me. And you just know it's going to be 100 times worse now with this ruling.

[Cha]

63. Exactly, grace!

They can't mess with Fair Trade Chocolate.

http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/licensees2.php#cocoa

[grace0418]

67. Endangered Species chocolate should be on that list as well, but thanks for the

link! I will keep that handy!

http://www.chocolatebar.com/

[magellan]

41. Definitely, buy FAIR TRADE chocolate!

All the major chocolate manufacturers in this country -- Nestles, Hersheys, M&M/Mars, etc -- import their cocoa from West Africa where "free" trade and child labor rule the cocoa harvests. Who the hell cares if the FDA forces them to change their formulation? We should be boycotting them anyway.

Buy FAIR TRADE! http://www.newdream.org/consumer/cocoa.php

(That's the first link list I've found for fair trade chocolate. Some don't work; if I find more I'll post them.)

[schrodingers_cat]

56. Thanks for the list Magellan, have you tired Dagoba's Lavender Dark Chocolate?

With ever lucious incredible bite, a kiss of lavender wafts into your nose for the most lovely, relaxing, chocogasm ever!!!!!!!
MOREMOREMOREMOREMORE!!!
signed,
A hopeless addict

[magellan]

60. Lavender dark chocolate?

:wow:

No, I haven't -- yet! But I predict it'll be top of my list for an anniversary gift. Thanks for the tip! :hi:

[grace0418]

66. Seriously, seek it out asap. I cannot believe how delicious it is.

It's got little blueberries in it as well.

[magellan]

71. It sounds amazing

I usually don't go for fruit in my chocolate so the presence of blueberries disappoints a bit, but this sounds too good not to try. Thanks!

[grace0418]

65. I have! I have! It is absolutely delicious. I don't even chew it, I just let it melt

on my tongue in all it's lovely glory. It's amazing. sigh...

[schrodingers_cat]

57. delete - dupe

[The Count]

24. Send this to Pelosi- she adores dark chocolate - at least it'll get publicized

if she gets involved! people are serious about things like chocolate!

[electron_blue]

26. Let me get this straight - the FDA has been slashed back, is overworked and way behind

and yet they find time to redefine what can be called chocolate?

I smell a rat.

[hedgehog]

27. Several rats actually, including ADM, Nestles, Mars and Hershey's!

Milton Hershey must be rolling over in his grave!

[StarryNite]

28. Why don't they just

load it up with melamine and call it a day? :shrug:

[Eurobabe]

30. FDA is in cahoots with makers of statin drugs n/t

[phaseolus]

32. There isn't any domestic chocolate I buy these days anyway

...because way too much of it is crap, even if it is made with cocoa butter. I already pay attention to ingredient labels if I'm buying chocolaty things, since the trans-fat stuff has the wrong 'mouthfeel'. "Whoppers" malted milk balls are a good example -- eat these, and your mouth feels like you just ate a few spoonfuls of Crisco.

If I want chocolate to munch on I stick to imports like Santander, Ritter Sport, Valrhona, El Rey. The only domestic stuff I don't mind is Godiva, and I only buy their truffles when they send me to a Campbell's soup factory that has a 'company store' selling factory seconds at $2.00/pound...

[Retrograde]

35. I've practically cut my chocolate consumption to not-quite-zero

After trying Valrhona and Scharffenberger, I can't stand to eat Nestle's or Hershey's anymore. I'd rather have one small piece of good chocolate a week than a mediocre bar a day.

[grace0418]

52. Amen to that. Although, sadly, Scharffen Berger was just sold to Hershey's.

So I'm sure they'll start monkeying around with the chocolate soon enough. I toured the factory when I was in Berkeley a couple of years ago and the deal was just going through then. The guy giving the tour seemed displeased about what that would mean for the quality of their chocolate (he tried to be positive but you could tell he was really passionate about the product). Now if these rules get relaxed I'm fairly certain Hershey's will let quality slip across the board.

I love the endangered species super dark (leopard?) chocolate. Nestle's, Hershey's and Mars tastes like sugar-coated brown crayons to me.

[blueworld]

33. Nothing they regulate is real food anymore

Pasteurized, processed cheese food product instead of cheese. rBGH instead of milk. Cloned meat with internal organs that are 15% human. Unlabeled frankenfood. Mad cow disease named 85 different ways in wild animals so we don't realize how rampant it is. And some scientist wants us to stop cremating corpses because it's environmentally unfriendly. How long before we're all yelling, "Soylent green is people"? :puke:

[StarryNite]

34. How true!

And welcome aboard, fellow newbie! :hi:

[DixieBlue]

37. That is disgusting!

The better not fuck up my chocolate.

I will be one pissed person.

[mile18blister]

39. And let's redefine fish...

to anything in the ocean that gets swept up in fishing nets. :puke:

On the bright side, maybe we finally have an issue that the average American can understand.

[eppur_se_muova]

42. They can redefine my chocolate ... when they tear it from my cold, dead hands. nt

[annabanana]

43. My comment on their site:

You may diddle with the chocolate if you clearly mark the package "chocolate flavored food product". . (So I can AVOID IT!)

[JitterbugPerfume]

44. this is obscene

leave my chocolate the hell alone!

[texastoast]

46. Kick and a link

http://ga3.org/campaign/chocolate?rk=CpLLbtY1PF8WE

[nicknameless]

73. Thank you for posting that link.

I just sent it out to others.

[sinkingfeeling]

47. Added my comments to their site. Told them to leave chocolate alone and go inspect the crap coming

into our food chain from China.

[Javaman]

48. So how will it be redefined?

a chocolated flavored brown mass?

mmm-mm, I think I just lost my lunch.

[hedgehog]

49. Shameless kick for the evening crowd.

I'm serious about my chocolate - I want everyone I can contact to complain to the FDA about this!

[StClone]

50. No problem I'll just eat my guacamole

That doesn't contain avocados.

[dansolo]

53. I stopped eating American chocolate a long time ago

Mmmmmm... Guylians :-)

[Morgana LaFey]

55. and let me guess -- the REAL chocolatiers will be prohibited from

advertising their chocolate as the real thing, or transfat free or made with real milk.

:sarcasm: I HOPE (haven't read the article yet)

[Cass]

59. I am so sick and tired of these greedy bastards f*ing everything up.

Now they're going to ruin chocolate. Damn them! I hate this corporatocracy. These low lifes would sell out their mothers for a buck.

[CreekDog]

61. Bad news, but there won't be rioting until...

Carob is involved.

Blech, what a cruel hoax that was!

[marle35]

62. health concern

This could be a health concern because chocolate has anti-oxidants. People wanting to get those benefits should know right away whether or not the product they are looking at is the real thing.

Soymilk (good stuff) is not allowed to be called "milk" but fake chocolate can be "chocolate"??

[libnnc]

64. Well, they've fucked up everything else.

Why not fuck up the ONE GODDAMNED THING IN THIS MISERABLE WORLD THAT GIVES ME AN OUNCE OF PLEASURE.


:nuke:

Sorry, it's going to be an incredibly shitty week. I can just feel it coming on.

[AtomicKitten]

68. mmmmmmmmmmmm

[Kurovski]

69. IMPEACH NOW!!!

This is the LAST straw. :-)

Seriously, don't mess with chocolate.

[Big Pappa]

70. I'm

Koo-koo for cocoa puffs.

[texastoast]

72. Kick n/t

[MzNov]

74. See's Chocolates in CA already sending out email to

customers informing them of the changes! A friend of mine got an email.

This is NOT acceptable! The Bush FDA will try to change everything we eat by the time these bastards are out of office. We must stop them.

Our Congress Critters have got to be kept informed on these types of issues.

:grr:

[scarletwoman]

76. Thank you very much for posting this! I've submitted my comment to the FDA. (nt)

[jannyk]

77. Signed and Kicked