What Makes Chocolate?

See's Candies and Guittard Chocolate are fighting an attempt by some in the chocolate industry, including Hershey, to persuade the FDA to allow chocolate to be made with vegetable oil rather than cocoa butter.

According to an analyst quoted by the L.A. Times, "The proposed rule change is part of a strategy by Hershey and other large producers to segment the industry, lowering the quality and expense of everyday candy bars while marketing high-quality, high-priced premium chocolate."

An artisan chocolatier warns that chocolate made with vegetable oil would have "a waxy taste."

Personally I think Hershey and others in favor of the change should do the honest thing and simply market a product called "imitation chocolate" if they want to make it with vegetable oil. :)

If you would like to express your opinion to the FDA, visit Don'tMessWithOurChocolate.