The European Commission has at long last adopted its proposal to revise the Chocolate Directive

Date: 18/04/1996

The proposal finally agreed after months of dispute would permit all member states to allow up to 5&percent; non-cocoa butter to be used in the manufacture of chocolate. But they would also be free to maintain existing restrictions on other vegetable fats if they wanted. Chocolate containing other fats would have to carry a clear label to this effect - a mention in the list of ingredients would not be sufficient. The UK, Ireland, Denmark, Portugal, Austria, Sweden and Finland already authorise the use of alternative fats.