A subsequent seminar for mass media representatives dwelled upon the issue of quality and safety of chocolate products

Kyiv, 11 February, 2008: More than 30 Ukrainian regional and national mass media representatives together with experts of Consumer Society and Citizen Networks Project were instructed on the criteria of choice of high quality chocolate produce and healthy nutrition in the framework of a workshop specially designed for journalists.

A training seminar for journalists tackling the issue of “Quality and safety of chocolate products. Healthy nutrition” took place in Kyiv. It was organized by a joint EU-UNDP Project Consumer Society and Citizen Networks implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

Specially invited experts Nadiya Polka deputy director of the Institute of Hygiene and medical ecology of Merzeyev and Valentyna Kulchitska senior specialist of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine on child nutrition told journalists about sanitary hygienic norms attached to production of chocolate goods, pros and cons of chocolate consumption, dosage for different age groups and influence of chocolate upon person's health.

“Depending on the amount of grated cocoa and cocoa oil chocolate has its age and quality restrictions. Chocolate containing high degree of cocoa which is more than 30% should not be given to children, elderly people and persons with different types of disorders of nutrition, respiratory and other systems. The amount of chocolate you eat can reverse its effect from totally positive to an absolutely negative one. It's expedient to consult a doctor”, - the experts suggest .

The President of Ukrainian scientific and research centre for independent consumer testing “TEST” Valentin Bezruky proved to be especially informative in covering the question of comparative testing of chocolate in Europe and Ukraine. Based on the examples of black chocolate tests kindly provided to the organizers by German Institute of consumer research (Stiftung Warentest) and his own expertise Mr. Bezruky told about the differences in chemical composition of cocoa harvested in different regions of the world and ways how surrounding can influence both positively and adversely the quality of cocoa raw material. He also enumerated main trends and methodology of independent consumer testing in Ukraine and EU as well as about target product groups which most often undergo testing procedures.

“Although chocolate is not considered to be a strategic product like drinkable water, bread or oil, it still has to be of respective quality, not contain excessive amounts of food supplements. Besides, chocolatiers have to rigorously adhere to technological procedures and safety regulations set by the state of Ukraine . The Centre envisages further tests of dark and milk chocolate of native producers”, - assured Mr. Bezruky.

In connection with the aforesaid, the journalists present were made familiar with a new database of Consumer Portal containing food additives according to European Classification of food additives with description of their properties, origin and the affect they may produce on the health of consumer. The said database together with those of consumer NGOs, dangerous goods alerts, and independent testing will shortly become available via mobile phones.

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