POLICY & ADVOCACY
Chocolate, Candy,
Gum + Mints
We’re advocates for the U.S. confectionery industry, which includes all types of chocolate, candy, gum and mints. Our mission is to advance, protect and promote America’s favorite treats and their unique role in a happy, balanced lifestyle.
What We Stand For
Modernizing the U.S. Sugar Program
The U.S. sugar program is a complicated mess of price supports, market allocations, quotas and government guarantees that are ultimately covered by taxpayers. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, for every sugar-processing job preserved through artificially high U.S. sugar prices, three American manufacturing jobs are lost. We support a simple, bipartisan solution to provide a spoonful of fairness to American food manufacturers that is modest in scope and doesn’t abolish the program or hurt farmers.
Open Access to Global Commerce
Our member companies source ingredients like sugar and cocoa from places around the world and export unique confectionery products to dozens of countries. We support open access to global markets while making sure American confectionery products remain safe, affordable and accessible around the globe.
Opposing Taxes on Chocolate & Candy
Taxes on our member companies’ products that exceed other foods burden retailers, distributors and manufacturers and increase the cost for consumers. We oppose additional tax burdens that negatively impact confectionery companies.
Advocating for Reasonable Regulations
We support labeling, food safety and manufacturing regulations that are fair to both consumers and industry. Trust and transparency are core values for NCA, and that’s why we created a useful resource to help consumers understand what is in their favorite treats.
Addressing Child Labor on Cocoa Farms
NCA, and its member companies and partner organizations, take seriously the responsibility of addressing child labor in the cocoa supply chain and are committed to eliminating forced labor, a criminal abuse that is, thankfully, extremely rare.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Around the country, states continue to attempt to limit food choice for SNAP recipients. We believe that all consumers should have the right to make informed choices when it comes deciding what to eat or drink, and that includes those that receive SNAP benefits.
Modern, Efficient and Uniform Recycling Systems
As confectionery companies continue modernizing their packaging and pursuing meaningful sustainability goals, NCA and the broader confectionery industry believe that innovation from the private sector and investment through equitable extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees will help address the recyclability of flexible packaging and provide important contributions to creating a circular economy.
Cannabis Edibles Are Not Chocolate and Candy
Cannabis-containing edibles can confuse consumers by copying trademarks of well-known confectionery brands and products, which may cause injury to consumers and reputational damage to confectionery companies. We advocate for common-sense regulations to ensure cannabis-containing edibles are viewed as distinct from confectionery and snack products.
Forest Conservation and Cocoa Supply Chain
NCA, and its member companies are committed to working with key stakeholders to develop and support transparent supply chains to restore forests in regions where cocoa is a major agricultural commodity. Additionally, the industry is leading various initiatives throughout the world in close partnership with cocoa-producing countries to end deforestation, restore forest areas, and promote stronger enforcement of national forest policies.
Modernizing the U.S. Sugar Program
The U.S. sugar program is a complicated mess of price supports, market allocations, quotas and government guarantees that are ultimately covered by taxpayers. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, for every sugar-processing job preserved through artificially high U.S. sugar prices, three American manufacturing jobs are lost. We support a simple, bipartisan solution to provide a spoonful of fairness to American food manufacturers that is modest in scope and doesn’t abolish the program or hurt farmers.
Power of Sweet
Manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum and mints directly employ nearly 58,000 people across the United States with almost 700,000 jobs supported in related industries, including agriculture, retail, transportation and more. Altogether, the confectionery industry contributes more than $37 billion in retail sales to the U.S. economy each year and has at least one manufacturing facility in each of the fifty U.S. states.
An Engaged Industry
CandyPAC
The confectionery industry’s leading political action committee, CandyPAC, supports Congressional leaders who understand the issues, needs and concerns of 600,000 Americans whose jobs are linked to the confectionery category. CandyPAC is funded by industry leaders who understand that an investment in building relationships with members of Congress is an investment in their long-term business success.
Washington Forum
Each fall the confectionery industry takes to Capitol Hill during the Washington Forum to speak with our congressional leaders with a united voice. The Washington Forum gives confectionery manufacturers a chance to advocate for their interests, forge a relationship with their congressional representative and outline our industry’s economic contributions to leading elected officials.
State Advocacy
Change doesn’t just happen at the federal level. Building strong relationships with leaders and regulators in confectionery-producing states can open dialogue for confectionery manufacturers and showcase their immense contributions to the state economy.
Grassroots
As individuals strive to get more involved in advocating for the confectionery industry, we’re providing opportunities for them to directly connect with their elected officials.
Candy on Capitol Hill
Congressional
Candy Caucus
The Congressional Candy Caucus is a bipartisan caucus formed to acknowledge the American candy industry’s long history of creating jobs and recognize the economic impact, responsibility commitments and community involvement of candy manufacturers in all 50 states.
U.S. Senate
Candy Desk
The Senate Candy Desk, located in the back row on the Republican side of the Senate, has been a popular destination on the Senate floor since 1965, thanks to its selection of candy provided by NCA members from its occupant’s home state.
Always A Treat
America’s leading chocolate and candy companies have committed to providing consumers with information, options, and support as they enjoy their favorite treats, pledging half of their individually wrapped products will be available in sizes that contain 200 calories or less per pack and 90 percent will feature calorie information on the front of the pack by 2022.
A Purpose-Driven Industry
Our industry has taken a leadership position on the role of marketing in companies’ business operations. The majority of chocolate and candy on store shelves is made by companies that do not advertise to children under the age of 12. Our commitment on this front is monitored and evaluated by BBB National Programs.
Contact the Public Policy & Advocacy Team
Brian McKeon
Senior VP of Public Policy
Dan Shorts
Senior Director of
Government Affairs
Kelly O’Donnell
Director of Political Action Committee
Julianna Cann
Public Policy Coordinator
