I usually find Marzipan more like building material than a dessert, but the Kras 1911 Marcipan is highly recommended. I can not remember the last time I had such a fine dark chocolate with subtle almond flavor. The consistency is perfect. However, I’m a little suspicious of ingredients E322, E420, E1102, E475, E202, E330, and artificial vanillan flavor. Something tells me those are not from the same process originally used in 1911 by the “first chocolate manufacturer in southeastern Europe”. On the other hand, this is a chocolate made compliant with IS0 9001, according to the Kras site. Mmmm, you can taste the compliance.

Kras was among the first to agreed to requests of the new international ISO 9001:2000 Standard, the implementation of which provides quality of work and of overall business operations of the Company.

Apart from quality, Kras pays special attention to the control of food safety of its products.

Owing to the controlled selection of raw materials, and in line with the applied integral HACCP concept of providing food safety, all of the Kras products are GMO free.

Maybe they should relabel this treat as the Kras ISO9001:2000 Marcipan? Their quality policy can be found here (PDF).

Delicious. But may I suggest real vanilla? Not sure what number that would be in the E series…

E322 Lecithins, (emulsifier) (from soy bean, egg yolk) (# overdose intestinal problems, sweating) (used in combined oils margarine, chocolate)
E420 Sorbitol, Sorbitol syrup (from glucose in berries or synthesized (artificial sweetener, bulking agent, humectant )
E1102 Glucose oxidase (enzyme, acidity regulator)
E475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (emulsifier)
E202 Potassium sorbate (preservative)
E330 Citric acid (from citrus fruit) (food acid, acidity regulator, flavouring) (used in infant formula, processed cheese, soft drinks)

One thing I like about about these reference numbers is that it suggests a very simple way for a consumer to scan an ingredients list and immediately identify dangerous or undesired substances. Would be interesting to have a scanner in a shopping basket that could trigger an alarm when you put an item in, or maybe just give a risk rating summary based on total contents. Or perhaps waiting until it is in the basket is too late (marketing got ya?) and the scanner should help you select appropriate items from the shelves…no more label turning and squinting. Could the numbers be extended as well to add more specificity of origin, suggesting region, or organic/quality levels?