From humble beginnings as a PR stunt, to becoming the biggest chocolate brand in the Netherlands, Tony’s Chocolonely is moving closer to its goal of disrupting ‘the big seven’ in chocolate. FoodNavigator hears how.
Cargill, one of the world’s largest chocolate producers, has launched a digital portal that provides consumers with increased knowledge and shareability into the origin of the products they source from the company’s direct supply chain.
The Sustainable Cocoa Initiative is a new multi-stakeholder dialogue that brings together representatives of Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana – the two main cocoa producing countries accounting for 70% of global cocoa production – as well as representatives...
Olam Cocoa has achieved 100% traceability for directly sourced cocoa across its global supply chain. FoodNavigator speaks to Andrew Brooks, Head of Sustainability, to learn more about reaching this milestone and the work that lies ahead to move the cocoa...
Nestlé has partnered with NGO Earthworm and government agencies on the ground to preserve what is left of the Cavally forest reserve in Côte d’Ivoire. FoodNavigator speaks to Earthworm’s country head Gerome Tokpa to learn more illegal cocoa plantations...
Agri-business giant Olam International has launched a digital platform, AtSource, that provides detailed information about its supply chains. The company hopes the data and insight on the platform will allow its customers to be more transparent with their...
During the partial COVID-19 lockdown in Côte d’Ivoire, a sharp rise in child labour was observed. Yet according to the International Cocoa Initiative, it is too early to attribute the increase to the pandemic alone.
Mars says two large scale studies underway will add to the already thick dossier of data backing its cocoa flavanols dietary supplement. One study looks at cognitive function while the other has a variety of cardiovascular health endpoints.
The Fairtrade Foundation is dismayed that Nestlé UK & Ireland will no longer buy Fairtrade cocoa for its KitKat brand. Instead, the food giant is moving to Rainforest Alliance certification.
Chocolate and confectionery maker The Hershey Company reached a milestone in its CSR strategy in January when 100% of the cocoa it sources was certified sustainable. FoodNavigator speaks to the company’s director of global sustainability and social impact...
A new report from the Fairtrade Foundation and Mondelez International highlights that cocoa sustainability initiatives are failing to reach a significant proportion of cocoa farmers. FoodNavigator speaks to Cathy Pieters, director of Mondelez’s Cocoa...
Scientists are analysing cocoa’s chemical ‘fingerprint’ to determine in which country it was produced. In the future, the technology could have the potential to confirm chocolate label claims, say researchers.
Fairtrade International has announced sales of Fairtrade certified cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire in the fourth quarter of 2019 increased farmers’ earnings by approximately $15.1m compared to non-Fairtrade cocoa.
Addressing deforestation linked to cocoa is part of Nestlé's ambition to transform its agricultural supply chain, making it more climate-friendly and resilient, the company said in its new Cocoa & Forests Initiative report that highlights key...
Cocoa production continues to drive deforestation. While the chocolate industry has largely lined up behind zero deforestation commitments, the complexities of indirect supply chains remain a significant challenge.
Goal is to accelerate sustainability improvement in cocoa through certification, 33-year-old organization said, as it announced a major upgrade to its monitoring of the cocoa industry.
Millions is wasted on celeb marketing campaigns that could be redirected to help the world’s poorest achieve a living income through blockchain tokens, says Fairchain and the UNDP.
From launching a niche start-up to purchasing a cocoa plantation in Saint Lucia, CEO Angus Thirlwell takes us through the ‘perpetual growing ambitions’ of Hotel Chocolat.
Reporting progress made to tackle child labour in its cocoa supply chain, Nestlé said it aims at eradicating the practice but added ‘going to 100% requires huge efforts’.
Fair trade standards should become watchdogs instead of the benchmark for sustainability, argues the recently appointed head of sustainable commodities NGO Solidaridad.
Mission-led chocolate brands promoting a cocoa province can not only generate consumer engagement, but help deprived producing communities that need it most, according to a sustainability analyst.
Cocoa companies, NGOs and Fairtrade issue joint statement for human rights and environmental due diligence requirements to be urgently imposed by European Union.
Olam Cocoa has today (24 October) launched Cocoa Compass, a new sustainability initiative that establishes the company’s responsible sourcing goals to 2030. FoodNavigator caught up with CEO Gerry Manley to find out more.
World Cocoa Foundation’s annual gathering kicks off in Berlin on Wednesday as The German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO) says it is continuing to monitor progress after its meeting earlier this month in Cologne.
Mondelēz International’s Cocoa Life sustainability program aims to strengthen the company’s supply chain and the Cadbury maker’s on-pack claims are only to signal brands contain sustainable cocoa, says Cathy Pieters, the director of the program.
PLAYin Choc’s educational, ethical chocolate – packed in a recyclable toy box – has entered more than 1,000 stores, garnered £250k ($309k) in funding, and now has two industry pros on its side.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard on sustainable cocoa will help mainstream ethical cocoa, says the chair of the standard, while an NGO worries uptake will be limited.
The cocoa and spice supplier unveiled sustainability goals in 2017 with a 2020 goal of nurturing a ‘fully traceable’ cocoa supply chain. We discussed progress with Olam's North American innovation lead, when we caught up with him at IFT.
The World Cocoa Farmers Organization (WCFO) is asking Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to reconsider setting a minimum cocoa price, while the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) is suprised the price was not higher.
Company say it is realizing supply chain traceability, empowering cocoa farmers, and tackling pressing issues such as deforestation using the power of technology, in latest report.
The commitment by Mondelēz International to use 100% sustainable cocoa makes business sense -- but it now it needs to demonstrate it can truly improve people’s lives and the planet, says one analyst.
Rick Scobey, the president of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), outlines how cocoa outside sustainability programmes can be deforestation-free and what happens to farmers encroaching on protected areas.
Almost 230,00 cocoa farmers to benefit from Fairtrade’s new version of its main standard for small-scale farmers, making them more resilient to market prices and climate change.
Giant cocoa producer commits to including coconut a 100% sustainable ingredient by 2025, as it announces major investment in its cocoa processing capabilities in Abidjan.
San Francisco-based Guittard Chocolate Company has invested in farmer training to preserve chocolate flavours from cocoa growing regions and advance its sustainability mission, director of marketing Amy Guittard told FoodNavigator.
Confectionery giant has shared detailed action plans for Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, where over 65% of the world’s cocoa is grown as well as timelines for Indonesia, Brazil, Cameroon and Ecuador.
Food companies must improve how they measure the full impact of their sustainability programmes or risk failing to achieve true impact in alleviating poverty, hunger and deforestation.
Derek Chambers, a Paris-based trader in ‘semi-retirement’ delivered a passionate speech to the Cocoa Merchants Association of America conference calling on the industry to revaluate its stance on sustainability and end duplication.
Fairtrade Fortnight, which starts on Monday, February 25, sees businesses backing Fairtrade’s cocoa campaign with calls for more action from UK government.
