Regulation & Safety

ECOM's Smarter Cocoa Charter sets out its sustainability aims. Pic: ECOM

Sustainability

ECOM launches its first Smarter Cocoa Charter

By Anthony Myers

Global cocoa supplier ECOM has published its first Smarter Cocoa Charter to set out its sustainability mission and commitments ‘to grow a smarter future for cocoa’.

The ECA has released its preliminary programme for the 2022 Cocoa Forum in Rome. Pic: ECA

ECA Cocoa Forum 2022

Eary-bird rates still available for ECA Cocoa Forum in Rome

By Anthony Myers

Early-bird rates for the European Cocoa Association Forum in September are available until 31 May. The two-day conference will feature high-level speakers from the EU institutions, cocoa producer countries and various other key players of the sector.

Batches of Kinder that have supposed to have been recalled by Ferrero are still on sale in Scotland. Pic: Ferrero

Health & safety

Recalled Kinder products still on sale in Scotland

By Anthony Myers

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are investigating reports that Kinder products linked to a salmonella outbreak in Ferrero's Belgium factory are still on shelves across the country.

Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center. Pic: Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center

Cocoa

ICCO pushes back World Cocoa Conference to 2024

By Anthony Myers

The World Cocoa Conference has been postponed for the third time after organisers International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) cited uncertainties of holding a global gathering in Bali with the potential of more travel restrictions due to the ongoing COVID-19...

German confectionery production could grind to a halt as it faces unprecedented supply chain and energy issues.  Photo: Gerhard Schubert GmbH

Production

German confectionery companies face collapse if regulations not lifted

By Anthony Myers

The manufacturing side of the German confectionery industry is facing its worse crisis in 70 years and could grind to a halt as it struggles with the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and an impending gas shortage caused by the Russian invasion of...

Destination Rome for the next ECA Cocoa Forum. Pic: GettyImages

Conference

ECA opens registrations for its Rome Cocoa Forum

By Anthony Myers

The European Cocoa Association (ECA) has announced the opening of registrations for its European Cocoa Forum, which takes place from 13 to 15 September 2022 in Rome.

The Coalition said it also supports the inclusion of the requirement for full geolocation information on the origin of the products covered by the regulation. Pic: WCF

Regulation

Cocoa Coalition proposes amendments to EU bill on deforestation

By Anthony Myers

The Cocoa Coalition of chocolate companies - Ferrero, Hershey, Mars Wrigley, Mondelēz International, Nestle, and Tony's Chocolonely - alongside Fairtrade International and Rainforest Alliance, broadly welcomes any new EU legislation regarding the...

Food and beverage companies suspend operations in Ukraine

Food and beverage companies suspend operations in Ukraine

By Mary Ellen Shoup

Several international food and beverage companies have temporarily shut down operations in Ukraine following Russia's invasion to ensure the safety of employees while bracing for the long-term economic impact that skyrocketing commodity prices and...

Cash transfers for cocoa families in Ghana improved children's material wellbeing, a new study shows. Pic: ICI

Sustainability

New cash transfer scheme for cocoa farmers helps reduce child labour

By Anthony Myers

A cash transfer programme implemented by the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), in partnership with ECOM, has reduced child labour in cocoa-growing households and helped them to cope during difficult times, according to recent research.

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