July 2008 - Chocolate Council News
Responsible Cocoa Growing
Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana release 2008 certification reports

The governments of Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana released 2008 cocoa farming "certification" reports in late July. The reports represent a significant, positive development in the effort to address labor issues and improve the quality of life on cocoa farms in West Africa.

NCA President Larry Graham noted that the reports "represent an important first, providing data on labor practices for farms representing more than 50 percent of the cocoa production in the two countries. The reports "highlight both positive development on farms and areas of concern." The certification process involves four steps that work together to improve labor practices; data collection; transparent, publicly available reporting on the findings from the data collection; independent verification and remediation to address issues raised in the reports. Click here for copies of the Cote d'Ivoire report and click here for the Ghana report. Contact Susan Smith.
Communications

NCA visits media in New York, meets with celebrity chocolatier Torres

In June, Susan Smith, senior vice president of public affairs and Susan Fussell, vice president of communications, visited six magazines in New York to introduce reporters and editors to some of the top chocolate and candy trends emerging from the ALL CANDY EXPO® – including a plethora of new chocolate products ranging from upscale and decadent to twists on classic chocolate bars.

Reporters from Forbes, Country Living, Scholastic Parent & Child, Brides and CosmoGIRL! were especially interested in the trend toward artisanal and gourmet chocolates, while Forbes, Parent & Child and TIME for Kids expressed an interest in products with a healthier profile. Both Parents & Child and TIME for Kids are interested in stories about careers in the chocolate industry. All the magazines were interested generally in new products and trends with many coming up with creative story ideas on the spot. NCA also dropped a package of new chocolate and candy items and trend information for a producer at the CBS Early Show.

While in New York, NCA met with celebrity chef Jacques Torres who spoke at the Chocolate Council's Chocolate Luncheon at the ALL CANDY EXPO®. Jacques is very supportive of NCA and agreed to work with the Association on future projects, possibly including serving as an expert for the 2009 trends panel and acting as a spokesperson for the chocolate and cocoa culinary campaign. Contact Susan Fussell.

Cocoa Butter Fact Sheet distributed to wide range of media and professionals

NCA is pleased to report widespread distribution of NCA's consumer oriented cocoa butter fact sheet. The analysis provides details on the distribution of the postcard with download details to consumers, members, health and science media, culinary professionals and instructors, food and chocolate media and food and science organizations. There are several other communication campaigns planned this year that utilize the fact sheet as well. Contact Susan Smith or Susan Fussell.

Legislative

Legislation in CA on labor compliance put on temporary hold by committee

A measure passed by the California State Senate to require manufacturers and retailers doing business in the state to implement policies that comply with federal and state law on the elimination of slavery and human trafficking from their products (SB 1649) has been put on "Suspense File" by the Assembly's Appropriations Committee. Legislation that would cost the state money (in this case an estimated $1 million) is temporarily put on this file, holding off consideration until August. The extensive problem with balancing the state budget in California has caused many legislators to resist passing expensive bills.

NCA is concerned about the impact this measure could have on chocolate manufacturers and users due to the attention directed in recentyears to labor on cocoa farms. However, a provision calling for "every reasonable effort" to trace components through the supply chain back to the raw materials used to manufacture goods was deleted from the bill in committee. We are working with an extensive business coalition to make further significant changes to SB 1649. Contact Steve Lodge.

Statistical Data

Second Quarter U.S. Cocoa Grinds Released

The Intercontinental Exchange (ICE Futures U.S.) on Thursday released the 2nd quarter U.S. Cocoa Grinds Report. The Grind Report adds to the information available in helping to determine the cocoa supply/demand balance in the U.S. Click here for the report. Contact Carly Zoerb.

Science and Regulatory

NCA's Bodor speaks on Stearic Acid in Cocoa Butter at IFT

Alison Bodor, NCA's vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, spoke at the Institute for Food Technologists annual meeting in New Orleans in June. Bodor was part of a panel sponsored by the United Soybean Board examining Opportunities for Food Product Formulation with High Stearate Fats. Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, The Pennsylvania State University and Dr. Brent Flickinger, ADM spoke on the scientific research to date on stearic acid. Alison spoke specifically on the role of stearic acid in cocoa butter and confections while Robert Earl, Grocery Manufacturers Association, spoke on regulatory implications for labeling stearic acid. A copy of the presentation is available upon request. Contact Alison Bodor.

Cocoa and Chocolate Research: Analytical, Behavioral, Health and Nutrition Research

Cacao liquor proanthocyanidins inhibit lung injury induced by diesel exhaust particles. International Journal of Immunopathology & Pharmacology. April- June 2008; 21(2): 279-288. Yasuda, A., Takano, H., Osakabe, N., Sanbongi, C., Fukuda, K., Natsume, M., Yangaisawa, R., Inoue, K., Kato, Y., Osawa, T., Yoshikawa, T. At a Glance: Results suggest that cocoa liquor proanthocyanidins inhibit diesel exhaust particle induced lung injury by reducing oxidative stress.

Cocoa procyanidins suppress transformation by inhibiting mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. Journal of Biological Chemistry. June 2, 2008. (In Press). Kang, N., Lee, K., Lee, D., Rogozin, E., Bode, A., Lee, H., Dong, Z. At a Glance: "Cocoa procyanidins inhibit neoplastic cell transformation by suppressing the kinase activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase."

Sustained benefits in vascular function through flavanol-containing cocoa in medicated diabetic patients a double-masked, randomized, controlled trial. Journal of American College of Cardiology. June 3, 2008; 51(22):2141-9. Balzer, J., Rassaf, T., Heiss, C., Kleinbongard, P., Lauer, T., Merx, M., Heussen, N., Gross, H. Keen, C., Schroeter, H., Kelm, M. At a Glance: "Diets rich in flavanols reverse vascular dysfunction in diabetes, highlighting therapeutic potentials in cardiovascular disease."

Chocolate-induced prolonged angiooedema in an elderly patient. Age & Ageing. June 5, 2008 (In Press). Kannayiram, A., Rezaie, A., Hadi, S. At a Glance: "This report presents a 93-year-old woman with prolonged angioedema associated with diabetic chocolate and chronic angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use."

Expectancy for food or expectancy for chocolate reveals timing systems for metabolism and reward. Neuroscience. June 7, 2008. (In Press). Angeles-Castellanos, M., Salgado-Delgado, R., Rodriguez, K., Buijs, R., Escobar, C. At a Glance: "The present data demonstrate the existence of different oscillatory systems in the brain that can be activated by entrainment to metabolic stimuli or to reward and suggest the participation of PER1 in both entraining pathways."

Short and Long Term Effects of (-)-Epicatechin on Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury. American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology. June 20, 2008. (In Press). Yamazaki, K., Romero-Perez, D., Barraza-Hidalgo, M., Cruz, M., Cortez-Gomez, B., Rivas, M., Ceballos, G., Villarreal, F. At a Glance: "Results warrant the evaluation of cocoa flavanols as possible therapeutic agents to limit ischemic injury."

National Confectioners Association
8320 Old Courthouse Road, Ste 300, Vienna, VA 22182
Phone: (703) 790-5750 | Fax: (703) 790-5752
Web: www.CandyUSA.com | Email: info@CandyUSA.com