Regulation & Safety

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.

Forest recently destroyed to grow cocoa near Blolequin in Cote D'Ivoire. Photo: Mighty Earth

Environment

Cocoa industry still failing to end deforestation, new report claims

By Anthony Myers

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...

Japan's borders have been shut for almost two years, disrupting daily life for its citizens and businesses. Pic: GettyImages

ISM2023

ISM Japan shifts its inaugural edition to 2023

By Anthony Myers

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.

EU food producers have six months to phase out the use of titanium dioxide. Pic: GettyImages/UltimaSperanza

The countdown to phase out E171 in EU foods has begun

By Gill Hyslop

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 Coalition said it looks forward to discussing the proposals in detail with the Commission, it said. Pic: CN

Regulation

Cocoa Coalition applauds EC on new deforestation legislation

By Anthony Myers

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.

The French initiative is the result of long-standing work by the entire cocoa sector. Pic: Fairtrade International

Regulation

French government launches new initiative for sustainable cocoa

By Anthony Myers

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...

The EU has taken a close look at responsible consumption and production, the WCF Partnership Meeting was told.  Pic EU

WCFPM21

Will EU legislation usher in a new era for cocoa sustainability?

By Anthony Myers

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...

Stretches of Brazil's rainforest have been cut down, but it is one of the signatories at COP26 to end deforestation by 2030. Pic: WCF

COP26

Fairtrade: COP 26 is a ‘cop out’

By Anthony Myers

‘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.

Climate change and extreme weather conditions will threaten Fairtrade farmers' livelihoods. Pic: GettyImages

Enviornment

Fairtrade Farmers issue urgent warning on climate change to COP26

By Anthony Myers

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.

TCHO also donates $10,000 annually to the African Cocoa Initiative II programme. Pic: TCHO

Governance

TCHO Chocolate awarded B Corp Certification

By Anthony Myers

Company’s work in reputable sourcing and community development were among the many attributes that warranted its qualification, said the body.

Blommer Chocolate is a owned by Fuji Holdings Inc. Pic:  Blommer Chocolate

Regulation

Blommer bans animal tests on ingredients after PETA push

By Anthony Myers

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,...