Over a large piece of particularly decadent dark chocolate cake yesterday, a friend mentioned casually a downgrade in federal standards for chocolate. Or rather, what can be legally be called “chocolate.”
I did a little digging, and she was right: a petition currently before the FDA is asking them to allow choco-products that substitute veggie and other oils for coco butter to be labeled as “chocolate”–thereby eliminating the current distinction. Gristmill has posted more info on how to protest the change.
Also, more info in an op-ed in the LA Times.
Because maybe what we SHOULD be asking of our chocolatiers (a.k.a. “Big Chocolate”?) is to make chocolate that is sustainably produced and slavery-free, rather than more waxy and less tasty.
(Small chocolates say: “Save us from choco-imitators!”)
April 25th, 2007 at 10:26 am
Also some interesting information on the topic at http://www.slowfoodusa.org under the “take action” link at the bottom.
April 25th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
Oh! I am totally blown away by this news. I can’t thank you enough for sharing it. Reproductive rights are being assailed in the U.S., denialists are trying to block action against global warming and now it’s chocolate! All I can say is, they’re going to have to pry my pristine, properly made chocolate out of my cold, dead fingers!
Janis Mara
http://www.ecotality.com
April 25th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
I loved your rant, Janis! And thanks for the slow food link, deliberately!
Good, clean, fair food! Yeah!
April 26th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Years ago there was a campaign by European chocolate makers to call british made chocolate vegolate. it was for similar reasons, but they didn’t want “inferior British chocolate” to be classed in the same group as their “superior” product. They would have a fit at this proposal.
You’re right though, the move should not be in terms of what it is called, but how the product is made and where it originates from. When Green and Blacks was bought by Cadbury a few years ago I was concerned that their values would be affected, but so far the impact has been positive – it’s more widely available and as a consequence, more people are aware of the alternatives and there are now more choices on the UK market.