Unveiling the Pasts: A Chocolatey Chat with Dr. Michael Reichelt
- Pen by: Jana Felgenhauer
- Approx. Time: 5 Min
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Dr. Michael Reichelt, age 45, dons the hat of a Germanist at Martin-Luther-University Halle, and has graced us with an essay titled “The Use of Ethnic Group Attributions in Food Labels.”
- Hot Seat: Didi Hallervorden
- Broadcaster: ARD
- Discussion Topics: Racism, Controversial Labeling
Let's Talk Chocolate:Hershey's Kisses - those classic little confections that leave us smacking our lips in delight! But have you ever pondered upon their past or the tricks up their sleeves? Our special guest today, Dr. Michael Reichelt, gave us a sneak peek into the world of ethnic group attributions... sort of.
Bygone Years of Hershey's Kisses- Grand Debut: Making their first appearance in 1907, following the triumph of Milton S. Hershey's milk chocolate bar, the Kisses initially went by the name of Silvertops. It wasn't until 1921 that their production was mechanized and the familiar foil wrappers came to be[1][5].- Iconic Bites: With their characteristic wrappers and classic milk chocolate flavor, Hershey's Kisses have solidified their place as a cornerstone of American sweets. Over the years, they've expanded their horizons to accommodate a myriad of flavors[4].
Ethnic Group Attributions in LabelingWhile Dr. Reichelt's essay offers valuable insights on ethnic group attributions in food labeling, it doesn't seem to carry explicit information regarding Hershey's Kisses. Usually, chocolate products tend to lay their focus on flavor profiles, ingredients, and branding, rather than ethnic attributions in their labeling. You might have noticed collaborations or creative flavor combinations, like the recent Cinnamon Toast Crunch-inspired Kisses, which marry classic flavors with an innovative twist[2][3].
Although we didn't explore the ins and outs of Hershey's Kisses with Dr. Reichelt, his work on ethnic group attributions in food labeling is worth checking out. Who knows what delectable insights he might share about your favorite treats next time!
[1] https://www.hersheys.com/about-us/history/milestones#/faqs[2] https://www.hersheys.com/cinnamon-toast-crunch-hershey's-kisses[3] https://www.hersheys.com/products/brands/hershey-kisses-brands[4] https://www.hersheys.com/about-us/brand-portfolio[5] https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/hershey's-kisses-silvertops/
The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, a topic that might intrigue Dr. Michael Reichelt, given his expertise in ethnic group attributions in food labels. One might wonder if there could be an interesting connection between these seemingly unrelated subjects and if he would shed light on it in future research.
In another context, attributions remain an essential aspect of human communication, and racism, unfortunately, has often made use of them. As a Germanist, Dr. Reichelt's work on ethnic group attributions in food labels can be seen as a significant step towards mitigating such negative practices, similar to the way kisses signify affection and friendship, transcending barriers of race and ethnicity.
Lastly, one might ponder if the classic Milton S. Hershey, a German immigrant, would have ever imagined that his humble Hershey's Kisses, initially called Silvertops, would eventually embark on a journey beyond their homeland, engendering a fondness that distances them from any form of racism or ethnic attribution.
