Two countries say they ‘reaffirm commitment to eradicating child labor and deforestation in cocoa and will collaborate with all stakeholders to promote and sustain the cocoa industry,’ after meeting with execs at WCF Partnership Meeting in Berlin.
The company, one of the world's largest cocoa suppliers, commits to living incomes for farmers, a child labor-free supply chain and greater forest protection by 2030.
In light of the The Washington Post article this week that found ‘alarming’ problems with Utz’s auditing processes, a timely session at the WCF Partnership Meeting on blockchain looks at how it can help with supply chain certification – but is the industry...
ABB Distribution Solutions has redesigned its low-voltage switchgear to launch NeoGear across Europe in 2020, following trials in Switzerland and China.
Rick Scobey launched this year’s WCF Partnership Meeting in Berlin with an impassioned speech outlining a fresh vision and investment to alleviate farmer poverty and improve sustainability in the cocoa sector, as Mars Wrigley launches its own Sustainable...
On the eve of the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in Berlin, ConfectioneryNews caught up with Antonie Fountain, managing director of The VOICE Network, which describes itself as ‘a watchdog and catalyst for a reformed cocoa sector’, for a special...
Following our article on 14 October stating that Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire have announced that they are frustrated with the slow uptake from makers to pay a living income to its farmers, ethical Dutch chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely said it agrees with...
World Cocoa Foundation’s annual gathering kicks off in Berlin on Wednesday as The German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO) says it is continuing to monitor progress after its meeting earlier this month in Cologne.
Technological innovations which were once driving the market have already disappeared (dvds, answering machines, MP3 players) and companies are still struggling to connect with millennials between 20-40 years old, according to Daniel Langer, CEO, Équité,...
The World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in Germany, goes back to the roots of sustainability in the industry, says Alexander Ferguson, the WCF’s vice president for communications and membership.
#RadicalEquality campaign sees ‘The Other Bar’ allowing consumers the choice to invest in cocoa farmers’ livelihoods and make a direct impact on poverty.
Mondelēz International’s Cocoa Life sustainability program aims to strengthen the company’s supply chain and the Cadbury maker’s on-pack claims are only to signal brands contain sustainable cocoa, says Cathy Pieters, the director of the program.
The educational chocolate brand for kids regularly supports the environmental group, but the recent wave of deforestation prompted Yowie to offer more.
The 105-year-old confectioner revamped its image earlier this year to capitalize on key natural trends, transitioning to recyclable plastic for its iconic licorice jar and joining two sustainability initiatives.
‘Your guess is as good as mine on Brexit’, said Joseph Muscat, the Prime Minster of Malta, at the opening of the ECMA Congress 2019 last week (September 19-20), ‘But what is obvious, is during the next few days there needs to be a meaningful engagement’.
The German grocer has augmented its existing sustainable chocolate policy for private-label products as part of its overarching ‘Way To Go’ program of responsible sourcing.
Consumer interest in clean label or natural ingredients continues to rise. However, given our finite natural resources, is this inhibiting the development of products that could be better for the environment?
The Michigan-based bakery discovered that permissible indulgence continues to propel sweets, while personalization and flavor explorations are driving innovation by producers and intrigue from consumers.
The eco-conscious chocolate brand gathered likeminded companies to form the Amazon Alliance, which strives to protect 4.5m trees – one for each product sold in September.
PLAYin Choc’s educational, ethical chocolate – packed in a recyclable toy box – has entered more than 1,000 stores, garnered £250k ($309k) in funding, and now has two industry pros on its side.
The October meeting in Berlin, Germany, will feature conversations focused on the importance of key partnerships, strong policy initiatives and joint investment in the future.
Emily Stone, co-founder and CEO of Uncommon Cacao, joins us in the CN podcast studio to discuss the organization’s recently released Transparency Report and to explain how it is disrupting the cocoa supply chain in the wake of ongoing industry challenges...
As one of 34 global companies in the coalition, the candy and pet food giant will advance its existing sustainability platform through a focus on healthy ecosystems and human rights.
Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands are the latest countries to adopt the International Palm Oil Free Certification Trademark (POFCAP), bringing the number of countries using the label to 20.
Dinant snacks, which produces Zambos, Ranchitas, Taqueritos, Zibas, Del Rancho Cappy under the Yummies brand, has received the internationally-recognized SQF certification for its Safe Quality Food program.
CN’s next free webinar, ‘Cocoa sustainability: Selling ethical chocolate online with SDG impact’, takes place on September 12, with guest speakers including: Cathy Pieters, Director of Cocoa Life, Mondelēz International; Ewa Hudson, Director of Insights,...
I Am A Cocoa Farmer: John Narh Adamnor, Eastern Region, Ghana
‘I am a cocoa farmer’ is the first in an occasional series by Dr Kristy Leissle, scholar of the cocoa and chocolate industries. In each article, Leissle profiles one individual who makes a living growing cocoa, exploring how she or he came to cocoa farming,...
The NGO stakeholder is a key member of the consortium that developed the ‘Accountability Framework’, referenced by the EU as an example of an initiative for forest and supply chain transparency.
The sustainable chocolate maker spent three years developing a solution for its truffles, as part of its commitment to packaging its full portfolio in recyclable or compostable material by 2020.
Latest Lumina Intelligence analysis draws on labeling and product information of almost 3,000 chocolate, coffee and tea products in leading online stores across 20 countries, as well as 900 commitments to sustainability from 34 leading companies.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard on sustainable cocoa will help mainstream ethical cocoa, says the chair of the standard, while an NGO worries uptake will be limited.
Sustainalytics, a third-party assessor, analyzed 229 packaged food companies for their environmental, social and governance risks. Barry Callebaut received the lowest risk rating.
Mars, Inc. has hired Russell Stokes, a former investor and M&A chief, to guide the company’s strategy to stay top-of-mind and equipped for quick change.
Despite garnering plenty of accolades for its single-origin bars, the Massachusetts chocolatier decided to call it quits after 12 years. For founder Colin Gasko, the business model of boutique chocolate seems ‘unsustainable.’
As snacking occasions abound, the Almond Board of California (ABC) has committed to promoting the sustainability and usefulness of the world’s favorite nut.
The cocoa and spice supplier unveiled sustainability goals in 2017 with a 2020 goal of nurturing a ‘fully traceable’ cocoa supply chain. We discussed progress with Olam's North American innovation lead, when we caught up with him at IFT.
The World Cocoa Farmers Organization (WCFO) is asking Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to reconsider setting a minimum cocoa price, while the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) is suprised the price was not higher.
Companies recognized as first to adopt a harmonized approach to streamline sustainability assessment, enabling US commodity farmers utilizing Field to Market’s Fieldprint Platform to gain global recognition in their supply chains.
Increases to Fair Trade minimum price and premium aim to address extreme poverty and related child labor in cocoa-producing communities in West Africa.
Company say it is realizing supply chain traceability, empowering cocoa farmers, and tackling pressing issues such as deforestation using the power of technology, in latest report.
Where is the cocoa industry on climate change? What are the new challenges for cocoa growing? The 7th Edition of the European Cocoa Forum has organised a special debate to explore new solutions to lessen the environmental impact caused by farming.
Caring for the environment, showing off a transparent supply chain, and giving back are no longer optional but necessary for companies looking to build trust with today’s consumers.
