Announced on February 17th, 2015, Nestlé USA claimed it will be the first major candy manufacturer to eliminate all artificial color and flavor from its chocolates. The company plans to have this goal completed by the end of 2015. 

Alongside this endeavor, Nestlé USA is also seeking to remove caramel coloring from its chocolate products, which is used in nine of the 250+ chocolate products. Additionally, all upcoming chocolate and non-chocolate candy products (gummies, sours, etc.) introduced by Nestlé USA will be made without artificial flavors or colors.

"When making these changes to more than 75 recipes, maintaining the great taste and appearance consumers expect from the chocolate brands they know and love is our No. 1 priority," said Leslie Mohr, nutrition, health and wellness manager for Nestlé.

In going about the change, Nestlé is removing artificial flavors and colors, and replacing them with ingredients from natural sources. To illustrate, one example is the replacement of Red 40 and Yellow 5 in the crispy center of the Butterfinger® bar, with annatto, a color deriving from the seeds found in the fruit of achiote trees.

The video below is an interview from CNNMoney.com with Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke. The question about Nestlé USA removing artificial flavor and color begins at 2:39.

Photo: "More, please?" by djpoblete09 is licensed under CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original

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Ashleigh Rader

Content Developer at Chocolate University Online

All her life, Ashleigh has enjoyed, indulged in, and spread the gift of chocolate. She says, "life's too short to skip dessert." Ashleigh joined CUO to help share on our blog and social networks more about the wonders of chocolate.

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