Over the last 20 years chocolate products have been at the origin of several salmonellosis outbreaks involving mainly children. One of the main characteristics are the very low levels of Salmonella normally found in such contaminated products. Due to the low water activity, the pathogens are not able to grow but these conditions provide a good protection leading to increased heat resistance and...

AIM The aims of this study were to adapt a traditional recipe into a healthier form by adding 3 g of oat β-glucan, substituting milk chocolate to dark chocolate with 70% cocoa, and to examine the effect of these alterations on short-term satiety and energy intake. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study subjects (n = 25) were tested in a randomized, crossover design with four products closely matched for...

■ ■ The ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector provides sensitive and selective determination of UV transparent sweeteners. INTRODUCTION Sugars are renowned for their sweet taste and are often added to manufactured foods to enhance human perception of flavor. Due to the negative health effects of excessive consumption of sugar, alternative non-nutritive sweeteners are commonly used in food and beverage prod...

When the Council of Ministers had to decide on the so-called chocolate directive in 1999, its plan to allow vegetable fat in the production of candy products met with fierce opposition from Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. These three member states objected to the usage of vegetable fats other than cocoa in chocolate. Although they advanced some consumer-friendly arguments, continental man...

This research measured consumers’ emotions and change in emotion to the specific sensory taste properties attitudes of chocolate-based biscuits. The sample size involved 216 respondents from South Africa (n = 106) Switzerland 110). Respondents tasted biscuits completed an online questionnaire. increase levels guilt after biscuit consumption contribution a chocolate craving attitude subsequent p...

Cocoa and chocolate have recently been found to be rich plant-derived sources of antioxidant flavonoids with beneficial cardiovascular properties. These favorable physiological effects include: antioxidant activity, vasodilation and blood pressure reduction, inhibition of platelet activity, and decreased inflammation. Increasing evidence from experimental and clinical studies using cocoa-derive...

This study asks whether exposure to images of chocolate induces cravings and guilty feelings in females. A further aim was to examine whether these effects are heightened in the case of dieters. The participants, 85 females, saw a series of enticing media images, either of chocolate or of non-food products. Two thirds of the sample were dieting or had dieted in the past; 15% had been on seven o...

Endogenous polyphenolic compounds in cacao impart both bitter and astringent characteristics to chocolate confections. While an increase in these compounds may be desirable from a health perspective, they are generally incongruent with consumer expectations. Traditionally, chocolate products undergo several processing steps (e.g., fermentation and roasting) that decrease polyphenol content, and...

Methylxanthines were quantified in coffee, tea, and chocolate products. Tarajuilie tea from India, cocoa powder, and cocoa nibs contained the highest levels of methylxanthines. Theobromine, caffeine, and theophylline combined in the ratios observed in tea and chocolate were ingested by coyotes. Although both mixtures induced acute toxicity, the symptoms accompanying the chocolate methylxanthine...