ADM Launches New Cocoa Butter Equivalent Blends

By substituting cocoa butter with CBEs in accordance with the EU Cocoa and Chocolate Products Directive 2000/36/EC, significant savings and functional improvements can be achieved.

Nov 9 2010 --- Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), a leading cocoa, chocolate and speciality oils and fats supplier, has expanded its range of cocoa butter equivalents (CBEs) with the launch of Chocovit Extra. These custom-formulated blends of deZaan cocoa butters and Chocovit Plus CBEs work well in an array of chocolate formulations and help manufacturers deliver high quality products more efficiently and economically.

CBEs are used to reduce the ingredient costs of chocolate formulations for use in applications such as fillings, coatings and chocolate shells. By substituting cocoa butter with CBEs in accordance with the EU Cocoa and Chocolate Products Directive 2000/36/EC, significant savings and functional improvements can be achieved. In some formulations, CBE blends can even enhance heat resistance, shelf-life, crystallisation rates and resistance to fat bloom. ADM’s Chocovit Plus CBEs are widely used up to the allowed 5 per cent level to improve performance and reduce costs.

Rinus Heemskerk, technical director for ADM Cocoa, commented, “CBEs offer clear cost benefits, but the complexity of blending the correct ratios of CBEs and cocoa butter can discourage some manufacturers. We have developed Chocovit Extra using the technical expertise of our cocoa, chocolate and speciality oils and fats teams to produce custom blends that save our customers time and money.”

Phil Hogan, global director of fats and oils research at ADM’s Noblee & Thörl Werks in Hamburg, added, “The launch of Chocovit Extra comes at the perfect time for the chocolate industry.  As cocoa butter prices continue to fluctuate, many manufacturers are turning to CBEs to help stabilise the costs and enhance the appeal of their products. Now, with our innovative blends, they can do so without having to invest in equipment and be confident in the quality of their end products.”