2007P-0085

Adopt Regulations of General Applicability to all Food Standards that would Permit Deviations from the Requirements of the Individual Food Standards of Identity

FDA Comment Number :

EC4

Submitter :

Mr. Troy van Dam

Date & Time:

04/09/2007 07:04:10

Organization :

Don't Mess With Our Chocolate

Category :

Consumer Group

Issue Areas/Comments

GENERAL

Dear FDA,

I have been a huge fan of chocolate all of my life. My Father was one of the best candy makers in the world. As a child, we would make many hand made confections at home that would be enjoyed by family and friends.

I recently have been enlightened to some changes that the FDA may be making in the standard identity of chocolate and I am very disappointed and certainly opposed to these changes (Docket # 2007P-0085).

A change allowing ingredients such as vegetable fats and milk alternatives to be used in chocolate instead of cocoa butter and milk, would forever ruin the treasure that we have all enjoyed for years. Americans are trying to eat healthier and allowing these changes will only deceive the consumer and put more inferior products into the market. It will be nearly impossible for the consumer to differentiate great chocolate for a product that you can legally call chocolate. I do think it is great that as consumers we have access to many great new chocolate products "now more than ever".

The unfortunate thing about this is that it is like a chain reaction. Once it is allowed, manufacturers will start changing their formulas.It may only start with a few but the rest will follow because they will not be competative anymore. The way I see it is the only reason companies want to add other fats or milk substitutes is so they can cut their costs, it does not benefit the consumer in any way. In fact, it will be at the consumers expense.