| 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 : | EC903 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Submitter : | Mr. Conrad Miller | Date & Time: | 07/03/2007 12:07:17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Organization : | Chocolat Michel Cluizel | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Category : | Food Industry | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issue Areas/Comments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| GENERAL | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| GENERAL | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dear FDA:
I ask for your support against the proposed and pending changes to chocolate (Docket # 2007P-0085), submitted by the Grocery Manufacturers Association/Food Products Association (GMA/FPA) on behalf of a number of organizations including the Chocolate Manufacturers Association (CMA). I understand that as part of this petition, the CMA has petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a change in the Standard of Identity for chocolate products to allow for the use vegetable fats in chocolate and milk substitutes and to be classified as "sweet" or "dark" chocolate. Truth in government lies in its ability to be honest with itself. How long can we keep changing the ingredients of chocolate before it no longer is chocolate? I ask the FDA to stop the changes now. There is a possibility for this measure to have major reprocussions in other food industries. How long before we allow peanut butter to be called peanut butter without any peanut fat? Or is the peanut lobby bigger? As a sales representative of Chocolat Michel Cluizel, one of the world's best awarded chocolates, I see the growing confusion with the consuming public about the health and nutritional benefits of chocolate. A change in the chocolate content will only add to this confusion and prevent the average consumer of understanding what chocolate is. I charge that the sponsors of this measure have not properly informed the public of their intent. If the majority of the public knew of the consequences of these actions, they would not allow for such a drastic and damaging change to the definition of chocolate. If the measure's sponsors are certain of their good intent and concern for the health of the consuming public, a public hearing will provide them a positive and productive platform in which to voice their concern. I, as a member of the food industry, am ashamed. We are attempting to lie to the general public about such elemental truths of health and happiness. This continued disregard by our industry will result in a negative consequence that we may be unwilling to see and unable to alter. I appreciate the time of whoever has read this, but please consider its gravity and help give voice to those without the financial backing of a multi- billion dollar corporation. I strongly discourage you to allow the changes as purposed in Docket # 2007P-0085. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| With Thanks,
Conrad Miller Chocolate Sommelier Sales Associate Chocolat Michel Cluizel 888 Broadway 1st Fl New York, NY 10003 212-477-7335 conrad@chocolatmichelcluizel-na.com conrad.miller@hotmail.com | |||