Regulation & Safety

Santiago Gowland. Pic: The Rainforest Alliance

Environment

The Rainforest Alliance appoints Santiago Gowland as new CEO

By Anthony Myers

Gowland previously served as Executive Vice President for Latin America and Global Innovation at The Nature Conservancy. Before that, he spearheaded sustainability initiatives in the private sector, including stints at Unilever and Nike.

Mars Wrigley's Responsible Cocoa programme supports the LID. Pic: Mars Wrigley

Cocoa

Mars Wrigley to meet industry cocoa officials to discuss LID payments

By Anthony Myers

Barry Parkin, the company's Chief Procurement and Sustainability Officer, is set to meet with members of the cocoa industry and the governments of Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire this week to discuss the Living Income Differential (LID) and to underscore...

Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center will host the next World Cocoa Conference in 2022. Pic: Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center

In brief

World Cocoa Conference postponed until 2022

By Anthony Myers

Organisers have announced that the fifth World Cocoa Conference which was scheduled to take place this year from 23 to 26 May, has been moved to 2022, because of the ongoing global health emergency following the COVID-19 outbreak.

William Reed's popular Food & Drink Shows event is set to return in July. Pic: WRBM

Events

William Reed confirms go-ahead for UK Food & Drink Shows in Birmingham

By Anthony Myers

William Reed Business Media, publisher of The Grocer, ConfectioneryNews and BakeryandSnacks, has confirmed that its Food & Drink Shows will go ahead this July at Birmingham’s NEC following the UK government’s ‘Roadmap out of Lockdown’ announcement.

Grummies democratizes superfoods with a gummy format

Grummies democratizes superfoods with a gummy format

By Mary Ellen Shoup

Many consumers are aware of the nutritional value so-called superfoods have, but few can commit to a daily diet packed with turmeric, ashwagandha, and elderberry (and even fewer enjoy the taste). This hangup was the impetus for Grummies, a brand of gummies...

'Tony’s traceability is guaranteed,' the company said, confirming it will continue to work with Barry Callebaut. Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Sustainability

Tony’s Chocolonely rejects modern slavery allegation in its cocoa

By Anthony Myers

Dutch ethical brand Tony’s Chocolonely has defended its reputation for making ‘100% slave free chocolate the norm’ after it was struck off a list of companies that use ethically sourced cocoa by the American organization Slave Free Chocolate.

Alvin Lee. Pic Cargill

In brief

CAA appoints Cargill director as new chairman

By Anthony Myers

The Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA) has announced it has elected Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate’s Commercial Director for Asia-Pacific, Alvin Lee, as the new chairman of the Association for the next two years, with immediate effect.

Montpellier's Corum Convention Centre. Pic: visit-languedoc.fr

Policy

ICCO Symposium on cocoa research to be held in France in September

By Anthony Myers

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), in partnership with the French institution Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), has announced its second edition of the International Symposium on Cocoa Research (ISCR) will take...