Both adults and children love chocolate and chocolates. That's why there is a wide range of these delicacies on store shelves - different in composition, weight and price. So what should consumers look for when choosing chocolate delicacies? Let us tell you.
☝️ Real chocolate must contain cocoa mass and cocoa butter. If part or all of the cocoa butter is replaced with vegetable fats (e.g. palm oil) or confectionery fat with the correct name such a product is a "confectionery bar" or "sweet tiles", but not chocolate.
🔎 Please note that the names "chocolate", "milk chocolate" and "couverture chocolate" may be supplemented with information on quality indicators, provided that the products contain
🔹 for chocolate - at least 43 % of cocoa products in terms of dry matter and at least 26 % of cocoa butter;
🔹 for milk chocolate - not less than 30 % of the total amount of cocoa products in terms of dry matter and not less than 18 % of dairy products obtained by full or partial dehydration of whole milk, partially or completely skimmed milk, cream, dehydrated milk fat in terms of dry matter, with a milk fat content of not less than 4.5 %;
🔹 for couverture chocolate - not less than 16 % of skimmed cocoa products in terms of dry matter.
👉 When buying chocolate, we advise consumers:
🔶 Read the composition: the first positions are the largest components by weight. If cocoa products or cocoa butter are far from the end, it may be a low-quality product.
🔶 Check the expiry date and storage conditions - improper storage (high temperature, humidity) can lead to changes in fatty acids, oxidation, etc.
🔶 Do not buy products without labelling or with unreadable composition - this is a violation of the rules of sale.
🔶 Check out the attractive advertising labels ("natural", "extra", "top grade") - they do not guarantee quality if the composition and labelling do not comply with the standards.
🔶 Do not buy chocolate products in places of spontaneous trade.
Be careful when choosing food products and you will get not only a pleasant taste, but also safety for your health.
Source: State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection