Regulation & Safety

CFI national traceability systems have entered the piloting phase in cocoa-growing regions in West Africa. Pic: CFI

Sustainability

COP28 to hear of CFI updates on cocoa deforestation in West Africa

By Anthony Myers

The Cocoa and Forests Initiative (CFI) is set to present updates on the industry’s commitment to eliminate deforestation and restore degraded forests at COP28, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which will be held this year in Dubai from 30...

Barry Callebaut will publish the seventh edition of its Forever Chocolate Progress Report at the end of November. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Sustainability

Barry Callebaut ranked top for ESG risks management

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut has been ranked in the 1st percentile in the management of ESG risks in both the Food Product and Packaged Food companies by Morningstar Sustainalytics.

Cocoa trees naturally absorb cadmium from soils via their roots and deposit it in the nibs (centre) of cocoa beans. Pic: As You Sow

Special report

Chocolate companies respond to latest claims of excessive cadmium in cocoa

By Anthony Myers

Consumer Reports (CR), a US independent, non-profit member organisation, has doubled down on its campaign against lead and cadmium in chocolate and urges changes after a new survey finds a third of products contain ‘concerning’ levels of heavy metals.

Pic: GettyImages

Sustainability

New database launched to drive innovation in Sustainable Food Systems

By Anthony Myers

IFIS Sustainability a cutting-edge, free Abstracting and Indexing (A&I) database that curates the latest scientific research at the intersection of food and sustainability, has launched a new digital tool providing food innovators access to the latest...

Image: Getty/Media Lens King

Cocoa leaders demand a fair price for all

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Off the back of Tony's Chocolonely’s warning that the new cocoa farmgate price is still too low, other chocolate brands and global organisations call for an end to corporate greed and push for equity.

Alejandra Sarasty, Chocolate Cordillera's Chief Global B2B Officer, embraces one of the women cocoa farmers from the ATENEA programme. Pic: CN

Webinar

The importance of women in the cocoa value chain

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa production is decisively linked with women, and sustainable value chains are, too. However, how will their roles differ with the upcoming EU legislation on deforestation, and in a broader issue, will it threaten cocoa and chocolate exporters?

Former ICCO Council President Abel Fernández addresses members at the recent Council Meeting. Pic: ICCO

Sustainability

ICCO celebrates 50 years of cocoa sustainability commitment

By Anthony Myers

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) marked half a century of commitment to sustainable growth in the cocoa sector with a special celebration held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, where it is now headquartered.

The assessment carried out in September 2023 shows no pesticide cases in PRONATEC's organic cocoa butter, mass and powders. Pic: PRONATEC

Production

PRONATEC reports a clean bill of health for its organic cocoa beans

By Anthony Myers

The family-owned company has been processing cocoa beans into cocoa mass, butter, and powder at its own exclusively organic plant in Winterthur, Switzerland, since June 2022 and says an assessment carried out this month shows there have been no pesticide...

A Brazilian court has found 'unlawful' working conditions in Cargill's cocoa supply chain. Pic: Cargill

Sustainabilty

Cargill accused of child labour practices on Brazilian cocoa farms

By Anthony Myers

Cargill, one of the world’s largest cocoa suppliers, has been ordered by a Brazilian court to pay 600,000 reais ($120,185) as indemnity for allegedly buying cocoa from farms where child labour or forced work has been identified.

Pic: CN

Free webinar

The impact of reformulation: producer’s nightmare or brand boost?

By Anthony Myers

Industry leaders take the Bakery&Snacks’ podium to discuss the movement that is increasingly impacting all areas when it comes to creating stand out snacks, from trickier better-for-you formulations that do not compromise on indulgence, to simpler...

Craft chocolate makers are 'highly internally ethically motivated to be transparent' - research suggests. Pic: GettyImages

Sustainability

Call for more sustainability regulation to help craft chocolate companies

By Anthony Myers

Transparency is a defining feature of the craft chocolate industry. However, with the need for benchmarks or regulations for this budding industry, entrepreneurs and stakeholders interpret and apply transparency differently, new research published in...