Chocolate containing vegetable fats allowed in all EU member states

3/15/2000 11:30 AM EST

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Today, the Parliament of the European Community voted on the
recommendation agreed upon already this autumn by the European Council.
The common position was adopted with only minor amendments, which have
been declared acceptable by the Commission. Thereby the standards for
chocolate are harmonized within the European Union, allowing the
replacement of up to 5% of the cocoa butter content by vegetable fats. The
formal decision made by the council of ministers, is expected within three
months. Member states are required to incorporate the new directive into
their respective national legislation within 36 months of its coming into
force.

- This expands the market for cocoa butter equivalents considerably,
which is highly positive for Karlshamns says Anders Träff, President.

The main features of the pending directive are as follows:

For domestically produced chocolate each member state is free to decide
about the use of up to 5% vegetable fat.

Free movement of goods is secured. This means that also member states that
do not permit the use of vegetable fats in domestically produced
chocolate, must provide for unhindered imports of chocolate with vegetable
fat from other member states.

To secure information to the consumer labelling showing that the product
"contains vegetable fat" will be required in addition to the list of
ingredients.

A limited number of raw materials and processing methods are approved for
producing CBE fats.

For further information, please contact:
Anders Träff, President, phone+ 46 454-826 03
Jan-Olof Lidefelt, R&D Manager, phone 073-9735137
Jan Gunnerdal, Marketing Manager, phone + 46 454-82122