Why have Green and Blacks decided to add MILK POWDER to their previously vegan range of dark chocolate?

Question

The b******s!

Answer 1

Well i went to the web page and the follwing statements were on there

PRESS STATEMENT

13 May 2008

Green & Black’s has announced changes to the labelling of its organic dark chocolate bars as part of a major packaging re-haul.

The new communication will highlight milk as an ingredient in its previously labelled ‘vegan’ dark chocolate bars. There is no change to the dark chocolate recipe but since both the milk chocolate and dark chocolate bars are made using the same production line there is a risk of cross contact. A recent audit revealed that traces of milk residues can still be found on manufacturing equipment despite intensive cleaning.

In order to ensure that consumers are at minimum risk the new packaging will clearly state on pack that milk residues may be present in dark chocolate bars across the range. The new packaging has already been printed and is filtering through to retailers over the next few months.

Dominic Lowe, managing director, said, “Green & Black’s is committed to an open policy and we have always been transparent about what goes into making our organic chocolate. While we feel there is no added risk to milk allergy sufferers consuming our dark chocolate bars, we want to keep customers informed about the potential inclusion of milk ingredients albeit in low levels and provide a clearer warning than we have done previously.”

For further information on the labelling change please see our Q&A which is available online at www.greenandblacks.com

- ENDS -

For further information please contact

Riwa Foustok or Anne Jillings

Phipps PR

tel: [phone]

email: [e-mail]

www.greenandblacks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has the allergen warning changed?

The new communication will highlight milk as an ingredient in its previously labelled ‘vegan’ dark organic chocolate bars. As both the milk chocolate and dark chocolate bars are made using the same production line there is a risk of cross contact. A recent audit revealed that traces of milk residues can still be found on manufacturing equipment despite intensive cleaning.

Has the recipe for dark chocolate changed?

No, the recipe has remained the same since 1998.

Is the product being manufactured in a different factory or on different equipment?

No, the facility and the process have also remained the same.

Why might there be traces of milk in the dark chocolate?

As we make Green & Black’s dark organic chocolate bars on the same production line as milk chocolate bars there will always be the possibility of some cross contact. It is impossible to remove all traces of milk residues from the equipment.

What level of milk would be safe for a milk allergy sufferer?

There is no clear data for this and experts differ on what is safe. Some suggest 5ppm casein is sufficient to cause an attack in severe sufferers. As a result we are ensuring that our labelling clearly lists milk as an ingredient.

How much milk is present in Green & Black's dark organic chocolate?

This is not possible to state without testing bars from each batch although we know that in some cases it may exceed the 5ppm that some scientist’s state can cause a reaction.

Why can’t the equipment be cleaned more effectively to remove the milk?

Whilst intensive washing with water and detergent could achieve the removal of the allergenic casein it is not practical to use water in chocolate handling equipment. The most practical method involves flushing the equipment with dark chocolate until the milk chocolate residues are removed. This is highly effective but still cannot guarantee the removal of all traces of milk protein residues.

Why can’t you make your dark chocolate on a dedicated line?

The restrictions for organic segregation and the design of plant we need for our type of chocolate restricts the availability of equipment. We are looking at alternative equipment and hope in the future to reverse this change.

I have a casein allergy and have been eating your dark chocolate for many years without a problem. Can I continue to do so?

There is actually no change to the risk but we are unable to advise you if this is safe for you to consume. What we are now clearly stating on pack is that we cannot guarantee the absence of milk. It is almost certainly going to be present – albeit at a low level.

The vegan statement has gone; has the product ever been suitable for vegans?

By definition vegan products contain no ingredients derived from animals within the recipe and this still remains true for Green & Black’s dark chocolate. However as our dark chocolate is made on the same production line as our milk chocolate there is some risk of cross contact. As a result, the desire for clearer allergen labelling now conflicts with the vegan statement and we have reluctantly decided to remove it from our labelling.

Answer 2

The did it because they thought it would taste better.  That does not give you a right to call them nasty names.

Answer 3

I noticed the same thing the other day, in the 85% bar. Infact, it prompted me to write a blog about how they shouldn't call themselves 'Green' when they are exploiting poor cows and calves. Someone directed me to their website where they explained that the 'Organic Whole Milk Powder' is actually a cross contamination from their milk chocolate bars, which they produce on the same line. The company say they reluctantly put it in the ingredients list, but I'm not convinced. I don't think they have to do that unless it's actually purposely added as an ingredient, otherwise it can be listed as a 'may contain traces of...'. I don't know why they'd put it on there unless they have to, since a lot of their customers are vegans and they'll lose them. So while it would still technically be vegan if what they are saying is true (no increased demand for animal exploitation) I am not convinced that it isn't actually a full-blown ingredient.

Hope this helps!

Tim