BackgroundThis manuscript describes the results of an HPLC study for the determination of the flavan-3-ol monomers, (±)-catechin and (±)-epicatechin, in cocoa and plain dark and milk chocolate products. The study was performed under the auspices of the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and involved the analysis of a series of samples by laboratories of five member companies using a common method.MethodologyThe method reported in this paper uses reversed phase HPLC with fluorescence detection to analyze (±)-epicatechin and (±)-catechin extracted with an acidic solvent from defatted cocoa and chocolate. In addition to a variety of cocoa and chocolate products, the sample set included a blind duplicate used to assess method reproducibility. All data were subjected to statistical analysis with outliers eliminated from the data set.ResultsThe percent coefficient of variation (%CV) of the sample set ranged from approximately 7 to 15%.ConclusionsFurther experimental details are described in the body of the manuscript and the results indicate the method is suitable for the determination of (±)-catechin and (±)-epicatechin in cocoa and chocolate products and represents the first collaborative study of this HPLC method for these compounds in these matrices.

This study was conducted to better understand consumption of candy in the US. Using data reported in NHANES, candy intake was estimated as (1) the usual number of total candy eating occasions (EO) based on the combined daily frequency of chocolate and other candy intake over the previous 12 mo, and (2) the usual amount of candy consumed per day based on frequency of candy intake in combination with amounts consumed per EO. The mean frequency of candy intake was 0.38 EO/d, with 35.5% consuming candy infrequently (≤ 3 EO/mo), 37.1% consuming with moderate frequency (> 3 EO/mo and ≤ 3.5 EO/wk), and 27.4% with frequent intake (> 3.5 EO/wk). Usual intake of candy was estimated at 11.5 g/d at the mean and 4.8 g/d at the median; mean usual intakes of candy by tertile of consumption were 1.0, 5.3, and 28.1 g/d, respectively. There was no association between frequency of candy intake and amount per EO on days of chocolate or other candy consumption. Mean candy intake in NHANES 2003–06 was compared to intake in NHANES 2007–08 based on 1 day of recall; intake did not differ (37.7 ± 1.3 vs. 40.4 ± 1.9 g/d, p=0.24). Based on 2010 US sales and market data from The Futures Company, NPD and IRS, candy intake averaged 2 EO/wk. These estimates of candy consumption suggest that candy intake has remained relatively stable and provide insight into the role of candy in dietary patterns of the US population. Supported by the National Confectioners Association.

The association between candy consumption and physiological parameters was examined in children and adults using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999‐2004). Candy consumers (CC) were defined as those who consumed any amount of chocolate candy, sugar candy, and/or gum during the 24‐hour dietary recall. Compared to non‐consumers (NC), children (2‐18 years, n=3,817) CC had significantly (p<0.05) lower body weight (42.2 ± 0.3 vs 43.6 ± 0.3 kg), waist circumference (67.8 ± 0.3 vs 68.9 ± 0.3 cm), and triceps skin fold measures (13.6 ± 0.2 vs 14.0 ± 0.1 mm). Additional adjustment for physical activity did not alter these results. Other physiological parameters were similar in young CC and NC. Using CDC growth charts to assess weight status, children CC were 19% less likely (p<0.05) to be overweight (=95th percentile) and 18% less likely to be at risk of being overweight or becoming overweight (=85th percentile). Adult (19+ years, n=3,279) CC exhibited lower (p<0.05) waist circumference (95.5 ± 0.3 vs 96.5 ± 0.3 cm); all other health parameters were not significantly different in adult CC as compared to NC. Thus, these data suggest that children and adult consumers of candy were able to balance energy intake and consume candy in amounts that do not appear to negatively affect health. Supported by National Confectioners Association.

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