K A S H R U T . C O M_©

The following additional information regarding the regulatory alert is from the Prepared Foods on June 4, 2007.

Due to an overwhelming outcry from the public, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended its public comment period for proposed changes to the ingredients in chocolate from April 25th to June 25th.

The following regulatory alert is from the Specialty Food News and Brandweek on April 12, 2007.

A proposal submitted to the FDA by the Grocery Manufacturers Association, in collaboration with the Chocolate Manufacturers Association aims to change the standard for "pure chocolate" by allowing chocolate containing less expensive vegetable oils, which would require kosher supervision, rather than cocoa butter, and milk substitutes such as whey, only some of which are kosher, instead of milk. Guittard has set up a Website at dontmesswithourchocolate.com to drum up opposition to the proposal. The petition is in the public consultation stage, and interested parties can submit comments about the changes until April 25. Additional information can be found at http://dontmesswithourchocolate.guittard.com/howtohelp.asp. The official FDA website information is at www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/dockets/07p0085/07p-0085.htm and the official comment page is at FDA .