New rules governing the placement and promotion of HFSS foods are set to come into force in the UK in October 2022 with popular confectionery and chocolate brands in the firing line.
A new report from global advocacy organisation Mighty Earth claims that since the high-profile launch of the Cocoa and Forests Initiative (CFI), Africa’s top cocoa-producing nations continue to see huge areas of forest being destroyed to make room for...
Koelnmesse, organisers of the ProSweets/ISM sweets and snacks trade fair in Cologne, said its plans for a new ISM event in Japan later in the year have been postponed until 2023.
Confectionery giant Nestlé is launching an ‘innovative income accelerator programme’ to tackle child labour risks in its cocoa supply chain, increase farmer income and achieve full traceability in its cocoa supply chain.
The palm oil industry in Malaysia is ramping up its efforts to improve labour standards after taking several hits to its reputation and business prospects over the poor handling of human rights issues.
Titanium dioxide (E171) - a popular additive that confers a bright white shade to frosting and cake decorations - has been banned as a food additive in the EU, with a six-month phasing out period coming into force this month (January 2022) after which...
The ‘Cocoa Coalition' of companies, NGOs, certification organisations and multistakeholder organisations has welcomed the European Commission’s (EC) publication of its proposed regulation on deforestation.
Heading into 2022, consumers are demanding that brands prioritize sustainability, workers' rights, and other human advocacy causes, according to independent third-party certification organization Fairtrade America in its biennial Consumer Insights...
The French government has recently updated its commitment for sustainable cocoa with a new initiative that brings together the State, industry companies, traders, distribution brands, civil society organisations, research institutes working in the cocoa...
Barry Callebaut’s mission to make ‘sustainable chocolate the norm by 2025’ remains on track at the half-way point of the Group’s journey with the release of its fifth Forever Chocolate Progress Report.
Fairtrade America has thanked a cluster of new brands - including Hu Kitchen, Russel Stover, Grace Farms Foods, noops, Kishu Baby, Renewal Mill, Rodelle Kitchen and Dukkan Foods - for joining its certification programme during 2021.
The European Cocoa Association (ECA) has issued a statement on new EU regulation proposals to tackle the issues of deforestation, but calls for an 'adequate transition period'.
The World Cocoa Foundation’s Partnership Meeting earlier this month focussed on the ongoing problem of child labour with important sessions tackling the topic on day one of the online gathering.
The European Parliament has said companies supplying products that risk contributing to deforestation will be ‘monitored and held accountable’ through new due diligence regulations. But farming groups have raised concerns that the new regulation might...
The World Cocoa Foundation’s Partnership Meeting heard a timely debate on EU landmark legal proposals set to be imposed that will mean that cocoa, along with other commodities such as palm oil and beef, linked to deforestation, will be banned from entering...
Child labour remains a persistent challenge in the cocoa sector, and is the main focus of this year’s WCF Partnership Meeting, which opened online today with a message from new President Martin Short.
‘This COP’s outcome is in many ways a cop out, a frustrating conclusion to this summit filled with hope that we would see a start to the healing of our world… said Mary Kinyua, responding to the outcome of the Glasgow summit.
With the COP26 meeting in Glasgow due to end Friday 12 November, Fairtrade has announced is has launched a new climate-focused partnership with Grow Ahead, a leading crowd-funding platform addressing the local challenges of climate change.
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) 2021 Partnership Meeting takes place online again this year from November 17 and 18 – see below for registration details.
Who grows my food, are they paid fairly, and do they use eco-friendly farming methods? These are some of the questions being asked by conscious consumers at the COP26 global climate summit in Glasgow this month.
Mars is building out its commitments on water stewardship, targeting action that will impact the most stressed watersheds where it operates. FoodNavigator hears from Kevin Rabinovitch, VP of Sustainability and Chief Climate Officer, about why urgent change...
As the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26) gets underway today in a rainy Glasgow, a new Fairtrade study has revealed findings that ‘paints a bleak picture’ of the future for cocoa and other commodities.
Both the forthcoming proposals for legislation – on corporate due diligence and on deforestation – can provide the basis for the transformation of the sector, benefiting producer countries and cocoa farmers, it said.
A sharp and sudden drop in cocoa farmgate prices by 18.5% in Cote d’Ivoire has led to ethical Netherlands’ brand Tony’s Chocolonely launching an urgent appeal to all chocolate companies to match the price Tony’s pays its cocoa farmers.
An evaluation into the outcomes of Fairtrade’s West Africa Cocoa Programme (WACP) has found stronger cooperatives among participating producers, organisation revealed.
The ongoing inaction by the US Food and Drug Administration over CBD (cannabidiol) in foods and dietary supplements is having a negative impact on trademark laws, says an industry lawyer.
Blommer Chocolate Company, the largest cocoa processor and chocolate ingredient supplier in North America, has announced it has joined a growing list of major chocolate manufacturers, such as Arcor, Barry Callebaut, Ezaki Glico Co, The Hershey Company,...
As part of its Cocoa for Generations strategy that was launched three years ago, confectionery giant Mars has released a latest update on its sustainability efforts in West Africa.
With the UK set to roll out restrictions on unhealthy food promotions in stores next year, fresh research claims healthier supermarket layouts, including fruit and vegetables placed near store entrances, improves customers’ food choices.
The European Cocoa Association (ECA), whose primary role is to act as an intermediary between the EU and cocoa producing countries when key concerns for the cocoa sector are under discussion, has announced the appointment of five new companies, bringing...
Olam International’s subsidiary Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Ministry of Forest Economy (MEF) of the Republic of Congo have agreed to renew their partnership agreement to protect wildlife around...
Exports of British chocolate to the EU are down 18.5% in the first half of 2021, compared with the equivalent six months in 2019, latest figures from the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) show.
Sustainalytics a leading company assessing confectionery’s efforts to manage the environmental, social and governance management risks in supply chains, has ranked Barry Callebaut #3 out of 203 companies in the packaged food industry.
The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) is urging the European Union (EU) to adopt the same template as Germany when it introduces a European supply chain law.
Increased understanding of cocoa farmers is required if the chocolate industry is to meet its forest restoration and net carbon zero targets, says Earthworm Foundation’s Gerome Tokpa
The European Commission (EC) has reiterated its commitment to ending all forms of child labour by 2025 and will use trade incentives, such as General Scheme of Preferences, to cooperate with partners to combat the problem.
Its latest report highlights the new 2020 Rainforest Alliance certification programme (which has replaced former Rainforest Alliance and UTZ programmes since July 2021), the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has worked to transform the cocoa...
Earlier this year, The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) launched a new study to analyse data from various stakeholders’ Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation Systems (CLMRS), with the aim of guiding improvements in their effectiveness at identifying,...
The raw cacao chocolate brand has been striving to become as socially responsible as possible in its supply chain, using natural ingredients like raw, 100% organic Ecuadorian cacao, unrefined coconut sugar and fruit for its product. It is also gluten...
The UK has said that it is going to restrict marketing, promotion and in-store placement for products that are considered high in fat, sugar and salt. Who will emerge as the winners and losers from this policy shake up?
