ethical sourcing

Ben & Jerry’s joins Tony’s Chocolonely’s open chain ethical sourcing, releasing key new ranges

Major ice-cream brand Ben & Jerry’s has joined Tony’s Chocolonely’s quest to tackle child labour in supply chains, celebrating the partnership with freshly inspired products being unveiled by both companies, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, Sustainability

Fairtrade International: World Confectionery Conference preview

Neill Barston, editor of Confectionery Production magazine, exclusively interviews Jon Walker, senior cocoa advisor with Fairtrade International, ahead of his appearance at the World Confectionery Conference this September.

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

Tony’s Chocolonely: World Confectionery Conference interview

Pascal Baltussen, chief impact and operations officer of Tony’s Chocolonely, speaks exclusively to Neill Barston, editor of Confectionery Production ahead of his appearance at the World Confectionery Conference. He discusses the company’s ongoing cocoa and chocolate supply chain mission to drive improvement for key farming communities.

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

Nestlé makes gains against its 2025 deforestation-free cocoa supply goals

Nestlé has reported further progress against its deforestation-free cocoa supply chain goals by 2025, including expanding the number of farmers engaged with in core markets of Ghana and Ivory Coast to 127,000, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing

Cocoa Coalition urges EU Commission action on sustainable sourcing

The global Cocoa Coalition, consisting of major confectionery groups and industry organisations, has urged EU nations to seize ‘a golden opportunity’ of plans from Ivory Coast and Ghana governments to create an economic pact for Sustainable Cocoa, reports Neill Barston.

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

Cargill gains major silver benchmarking recognition for its stevia production

Cargill has confirmed a major step for its stevia-based ingredients portfolio, claiming a first for the sector after its programme has been benchmarked at Silver Level by SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) 3.0, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory

Ferrero releases third Cocoa and Forests Initiative report on tackling industry-linked deforestation

Ferrero has offered a key update on its progress on the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) projects designed to tackle deforestation, working alongside the governments of Ivory Coast and Ghana, as well as the wider sector, for its third annual report, writes Neill Barston.

Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Ethical chocolate business MIA set for industry first with Ghana production expansion

Ethically-founded Madagascan premium chocolate company MIA (Made In Africa) is delivering a claimed industry first in becoming the only bean-to-bar business operating in two countries within the continent, under its ambitious plans expanding into Ghana, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

International team assembles for global chocolate scorecard on ethical sourcing

A British-based Open University academic has joined an international team aiming to give consumers pause for thought by showing them which chocolates are more ethically produced through a global scorecard system, reports Neill Barston.

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

Fudge Kitchen undergoes major rebranding and agrees sourcing from Luker Chocolate

British confectionery business Fudge Kitchen has delivered a rebrand of its range, with a core emphasis on sustainability in improving packaging recyclability, writes Neill Barston.

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

Exclusive feature: Behind the scenes with Prestat’s new CEO Micaela Illy

Becoming CEO of Prestat while still in her 20s may have been a daunting prospect for Micaela Illy, but as Neill Barston discovers, she appears to be taking it very much in her stride

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Remaining award categories announced for Academy of Chocolate Awards 2021

The Academy of Chocolate has announced the results from its remaining categories in its 2021 Awards, which include hot chocolates, spreads, flavoured couverture bars and the Academy of Chocolate brand experience.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate

Academy of Chocolate names gold winners for its artisan filled category

Judging for the 2021 Academy of Chocolate Awards within its filled product category has continued despite the ongoing pandemic, with entries featuring Indian, Japanese and Thai flavours shared prominence with Nordic, East European and Georgian accents, emerging with honours, writes Neill Barston.

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

Earthworm sustainability venture seeks key improvements for Solomon Islands palm oil

Non-profit environmental organisation Earthworm, Swiss oils group Florin AG and supplier Guadalcanal Plains Palm Oil, have undertaken a venture supporting over 230 smallholders in the Solomon Islands with key agricultural training, reports Neill Barston.