ATLANTA, May 15, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Chocolate is the number one food craved by women and is a proven stress reducer. Chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins, chemicals that make us feel good, and it is a natural analgesic or pain killer. Unfortunately, Masterfoods has decided, as of May 1, 2007, to use rennet, which is made from the stomach lining of slaughtered, newborn calves, instead of a vegetarian alternative, in the their chocolate products -- a decision based on finances, not ethics.
"I am appalled, as should be the global consumers of chocolate," said Dr. Kathleen Hall, international stress expert, founder and CEO of The Stress Institute. "I tell my patients and radio listeners to eat three M&Ms a day to help reduce stress without packing on weight, or to eat Masterfoods' branded, low calorie ice cream treats. No more!"
Danielle Piomelli, a researcher at the Neurosciences Institute of San Diego, reported that chocolate contains anandamide, a chemical produced naturally in the brain that activates the same target as marijuana. And, because chocolate is legal, no wonder it is one of the world's most popular "guilty pleasures."
Masterfoods' new additive, rennet, is used in the production of whey and the most common source for animal-based rennet is the inner mucosa (fourth stomach) of slaughtered, milk-fed, new-born cow calves. Interestingly, there are a number of readily available non-animal rennet alternatives including, vegetable, microbial, genetically-engineered, or acid-based coagulation -- but they cost more to produce.
Rennet will now be found in Snickers, M&M, Twix, Milky Way, Bounty, Mars, Dove Chocolate and Malteasers products, as well as the ice cream versions of all Masterfoods' bars. Paul Goalby, corporate affairs manager for Masterfoods, said, "If the customer is an extremely strict vegetarian, then we are sorry the products are no longer suitable, but a less strict vegetarian should enjoy our chocolate."
According to a recent BBC News article, the Vegetarian Society said it was "extremely disappointed."
"Mars products are very popular with young people and many will be shocked to discover that their manufacture now relies on the extraction of rennet from the stomach lining of young calves," it added.
"On the heels of a national pet food recall, causing the deaths of numerous canine and feline companions, this comes as a complete shock that Masterfoods would consider using a product like this," stated Dr. Hall. "It is a moral issue for me," she continued. "More humane alternatives are available and the fact that they have decided to take such an inhumane approach to their products outrages me as a consumer and disgusts me as a human being."
Dr. Hall is available to speak to the media openly about this situation, as well as discuss the stress-based, scientific research behind chocolate.
For more information visit her blog: www.stressinstitute.com.
About Dr. Kathleen Hall
Dr. Kathleen Hall, internationally recognized stress and work-life balance expert, is the founder and C.E.O. of The Stress Institute (www.thestressinstitute.com), located in Atlanta, GA. Her advice has been featured on major media including The Today Show, CNN, FOX, ABC News, CBS, NBC, Good Morning America Radio, Martha Stewart Radio, Fortune, Forbes, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Business Week, Parents, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, and Woman's Day. Dr. Hall is a renowned speaker and author of A Life in Balance, winner of the prestigious 2007 Nautilus Book Award, and Alter Your Life.