NOT about COVID - it's about Chocolate.

If you are looking for a COVID update, this isn't quite it, I am working on one for tomorrow. But today I thought I would tackle some fake news going around about my good friend, chocolate.

The CLAIM is that 1) people who are allergic to chocolate are actually reacting to cockroach pieces in the chocolate and not the chocolate itself. Have you seen this making its way around social media? They also claim that 2) cockroach pieces are a common ingredient in chocolate bars and that 3) there is an average of 8 pieces of insect per bar - as permitted by the FDA. Those are the claims. I am here to assure you they are false.

The TRUTH - 1) most people who are allergic to chocolate are indeed reacting to other ingredients but it isn't roaches. In fact, people with roach allergies/sensitivities don't typically react to chocolate UNLESS they are also allergic to some of the ingredients in chocolate, such as milk, tree nuts, or peanuts - not roaches. Actual allergies to the cocoa bean are pretty rare.

2) Chocolate-making facilities are inspected just like all other food plants, and roaches are pretty rare. Sampling of the chocolate is conducted and roaches are NOT a common ingredient. They are not considered ok and are not permitted in the chocolate and if found in the chocolate it could be seized.

3) The FDA does have regulations regarding what they call "food defects" and that includes what are considered acceptable levels of incidental pests. It is unrealistic to think a food manufacturing plant would be able to have 100% clean food. (Didn't we all learn about this by reading The Jungle by Upton Sinclair?). But roaches are not on the list of "acceptables". So no, they don't just let roaches in the chocolate, but feel free to tell your kids that if it gets you more of their Halloween stash.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The world is full of people only too happy to steal your joy (and rob you of your chocolate). The good news is that you get to choose. Today, choose joy. Refuse to listen to the haters. Refuse to let them win. Refuse to give in to anger, frustration, or exasperation or comparison. Eat chocolate, be happy and win.

Link to FDA food defect handbook - https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredients-additives-gras-packaging-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/food-defect-levels-handbook#:~:text=The%20FDA%20set,the%20action%20levels.

Link to FDA incidental pests document - https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/cpg-sec-555600-filth-insects-rodents-and-other-pests-foods#:~:text=Forensic%20Category%20III.%20Incidental%20Pests