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HOW YOU CAN HELP!

 

Your consumer opinion is important, it needs to be heard, and documented by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They invite consumers to express their opinions whenever they consider rule making changes. They already have the input from the manufacturers, but they are equally interested in your opinions to arrive at an informed decision. The FDA, after all, represents consumers’ interest and we need to be heard.

 

To voice your concern, simply send a letter to the FDA, providing your name, address and MAKE SURE you notate “SUBJECT: Docket Number # 2007P-0085” at the beginning of your letter which will link your concerns to the proposed changes requested by the Chocolate Manufacturers to the FDA. Mail the letter to:   

 

Division of Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 (HFA-305)
Rockville, MD, 20852

 

If you wish to send your letter by FAX, the FDA’s FAX Number is:

 

Fax Number: 301-827-6870

 

For your convenience, a sample letter is provided below which can be used to express your objection to this proposed change in the Standard of Identity for chocolate:

 
 

 

 

 

SAMPLE LETTER
 

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TO:             Division of Dockets Management
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 (HFA-305)
Rockville, MD, 20852

 

SUBJECT:  Docket Number # 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

 

Dear FDA:

 

We solicit 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). We 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 permitted to call the product chocolate. We are opposed to these changes and say to GMA/FPI and particularly to the CMA,

 

“Don’t Mess with Our Chocolate”

 

We love it just the way it is; made with 100% cocoa butter and real milk, rather than some concocted blend of fats and other substitutes.  The following lists the primary reasons why we oppose their petition and why this is not in the best interest of the consumer:

 

  1. Without proper labeling, consumers will find it difficult and confusing to differentiate the current gold standard of real chocolate vs. this new concoction, which has substitute ingredients. This will amount to economic fraud to the consumer as the product will become cheaper with inferior ingredients.

 

  1. None of what is being proposed benefits the consumer, nor was any consumer research submitted to support such changes.

 

  1. Their proposed formula will contain large quantities of bad Trans fats, which are not good for your health.

 

  1. They are meddling with everything that we love about chocolate.

 

  1. Cocoa butter is unique; vegetable fats can only masquerade as cocoa butter.

   

  1. The eating properties, flavor and mouth feel will all be different.

 

  1. All manufacturers, even those who do not want to support this, will be forced to convert to the new concoction due to the economic advantages associated with the new formula and their wanting to remain effectively competitive within the category.  The net effect will be a total downgrade in the eating enjoyment and quality for chocolate.

 

For these reasons above, we strongly urge you to not allow the gold Standard of Identity of chocolate to be changed. Thank you for your support in sending the message to the CMA/GMA/FPA:

“Don’t Mess with Our Chocolate”

 

 
 


 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!