Are we ready for responsible chocolates?
20.05.12
What does that mean for us? Usually, people don't even bother to look at food labels to check calories in any product, forget chocolates. When we asked chocolate giant Cadbury if they have any such plan, they refused to comment. "We don't comment on calories and products unless the findings are based on a research that was commissioned by us," an official told us from Mumbai .
Parle Food Products, which make Chox, are keener on expanding their share in the chocolate market in the country, rather than thinking about reducing calories. Pravin Kulkarnii, general manager, marketing, said, "We are hoping to increase our customer base for Chox in the rural areas. But in terms of putting a calorie-cap on our product, we have no plans."
We tried to check with Nestle and Amul too, but repeated queries elicited no response. They remained tightlipped, claiming that these are classified business policies, but officials from both the companies told us off the record that there are no plans to put a calorie-cap on their chocolates. "In the future, we may think about it, if we see that it's a good business prospect," said an official from Nestle. A representative from Amul, who did not wish to be named, said that the idea of limiting portion size is a "good idea", but that "it depends on the consumer, if they want such a product." "Be it chocolate or sweets, the idea is to indulge. Not many believe in counting calories when it comes to these. A health-conscious consumer will always check the food label, but those who don't care, just don't. So putting a cap doesn't make sense," he said.
Source: Times of India