don't mess with our chocolate!

Apparently, some lobbyists are attempting to "change the definition" of chocolate by allowing inferior non-dairy product to pass off as the real thing. Read the post, then click on the link above to help do your part to save our chocolate. Thanks!

The rules currently state (basically) that chocolate must contain cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Other things can be in there, like milk fat and milk solids to make milk chocolate and a small amount of milk fat can be added to dark chocolate as well. The new proposal would allow products that contain NO COCOA BUTTER to be call chocolate.

Here's a passage directly from the "Don't Mess with Our Chocolate" website...

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.
2). None of what is being proposed benefits the consumer, nor was any consumer research submitted to support such changes.
3). Their proposed formula will contain large quantities of bad Trans fats, which are not good for your health.
4). They are meddling with everything that we love about chocolate.
5). Cocoa butter is unique; vegetable fats can only masquerade as cocoa butter.
6). The eating properties, flavor and mouth feel will all be different.
7). 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.