European Food Safety Authority Gives Chocolate Stamp of Approval for Improving Blood Circulation

July 18, 2012 by CBS in DIET & DISEASES

Some studies have claimed the numerous health benefits of chocolate. Now, cocoa and chocolate has got the seal of approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European regulatory agency that’s similar to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The EFSA issued a positive opinion in response to an application from Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s largest makers of chocolate products, that cocoa powder or dark chocolate can help a person’s blood flow. Barry Callebaut also supplies Kraft and Hersey’s with cocoa and chocolate products.

Specifically, the cocoa’s flavonols – or antioxidants — may boost blood flow. Several previous studies have reported positive health effects from flavonols, but they are normally destroyed in the chocolate making process because of their bitter taste. However, Barry Callebaut has found a formula to keep the sweetness and keep up to 80 percent of the flavonols in their products, the Dow Jones Newswires reported.

Barry Callebaut told Dow Jones Newswires that it is the first company in the 27-member block to get an approval from the EFSA. The European Commission still has to approve the ESFA ruling, but if they do, Barry Callebaut would have the right to use the health claims on its products’ packaging, Reuters said.

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