Antonie Fountain

Exclusive: EU ‘Omnibus’ sustainability plans raise key industry concerns

The European Commission has released its ‘Omnibus’ proposals on streamlining corporate sustainability reporting, including for companies across the food and drink sector, which controversially significantly reduce the amount of businesses required to engage with the landmark legislation, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability

The Voice Network joins groups welcoming framework tackling child labour in cocoa supply chains

Key civil society organisations including the Voice Network and the Child Labour Coalition have welcomed a new five-year framework of action from the Child Labour in Cocoa Coordinating Group tackling the still prevalent major issue in the sector, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Exclusive: European Parliament votes through controversial ‘no risk’ country EUDR amendments

The European Parliament has voted through plans from the EU Commission to delay the landmark EUDR environmental frameworks – including controversial amendments on creating ‘no risk’ countries in relation to the major legislation, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

The Voice Network’s Antonie Fountain set to join the 2024 World Confectionery Conference

The managing director of the Voice Network cocoa sector organisation, Antonie Fountain, has become the latest industry name to play his part in our 2024 edition of the World Confectionery Conference this autumn.

World Cocoa Conference 2024 review

Editor Neill Barston speaks to leading cocoa sector representatives at this year’s World Cocoa Conference, including Antonie Fountain of the Voice Network, Sylvestre Owono, of Puratos and Michel Arrion, executive director of the ICCO organisation.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Exclusive: The World Cocoa Conference: the sustainability journey continues

As Antonie Fountain asserted for the final session of the World Cocoa Conference, “All of us in cocoa are like Lord of the Rings’ Sam Gamgee – if we take one more step in our sustainability journey, we are further from home than we have ever been, because we have come so far already,” reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

Voice Network calls on confectionery sector to engage with cocoa supply contracts

Cocoa industry NGO, the Voice Network has called on major confectionery groups to engage with purchase crops for the latest season, amid farmers expressing concern over slow take-up from global buyers facing higher overall market prices, writes Neill Barston.

Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

Major industry study highlights supply chain imbalances driving confectionery retailing

A major sector study has been launched into retail product pricing trends for chocolate and cocoa-based products, examining how key improvements can be made throughout the entire production value chain to support farmers. Neill Barston reports.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Processing, Sustainability