EU Commission proposes EUDR implementation delay
The EU Commission has proposed a 12-month extension for the phasing-in of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The move follows warnings of trade chaos from stakeholders and governments.
Regulation & safety
Is allergen-free candy expanding beyond dairy and gluten-free?
As demand for allergen-free treats surges, confectionery brands are moving beyond dairy and gluten-free, offering safer options that cater to a growing consumer base with multiple food allergies.
EUDR
Can cocoa become fully traceable ahead of the EUDR?
Find out how global traceability systems are gathering pace as the new law’s impending deadline moves closer
Sustainability in confectionery: Six ways to drive a greener future
In recent years, consumer demand and evolving government regulations have led to significant advancements in sustainability within the confectionery sector.
7 Things you need to know about the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD)
What’s the latest on the EU’s plastics law?
Ultra-processed food kills, says WHO
The World Health Organization is linking ultra-processed food, alcohol, tobacco, and fossil fuel industries to millions of deaths in Europe every year.
Is zero-calorie sweetener xylitol bad for the heart?
Another sweetener has come under fire from researchers, and industry is pushing back.
Sustainability
Barry Callebaut maps out phase two of Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) plan
Barry Callebaut, which describes itself as the ‘heart and engine of the chocolate industry,’ has claimed notable advances in sustainable cocoa farming and deforestation prevention in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.
Special report
Is there a business case for a fully transparent cocoa supply chain?
The latest CN webinar on sustainable cocoa supply chains asked the question: should the industry adopt a more responsible approach to procurement when sourcing cocoa beans and other ingredients?
How might FDA’s determination of tara flour as ‘unsafe’ impact the reputation of tara gum, which the agency underscores has a ‘well established’ safety profile?
FDA’s determination that tara flour, a plant-based protein that could have sickened hundreds of people who consumed it in a Daily Harvest dish two years ago, is not Generally Recognized As Safe could have negative consequences for tara gum, a...
Sustainability
Cocoa investors request major chocolate companies pay farmers more
An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
What advances is AI making in bakery and snacks?
Hint: The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is less to do with glossy marketing campaigns and packaging visuals and more about uncovering the mystery of algorithms and getting a better handle on supply chain data.
Sustainabilty
Fairtrade helps more West African cocoa farmers with specialist training
Fairtrade International claims that more cocoa farmers are benefiting from training in key environmental sustainability areas.
Will new ‘shrinkflation’ labelling in France truly boost transparency?
France is preparing to enforce ‘shrinkflation’ signposting in retail, but critics are unconvinced the measure goes far enough.
Sustainability
Luker Chocolate on course to impact 1,500 farmers by 2027
Luker Chocolate, the premium Colombian Business-for-Business (B4B) chocolate manufacturer, has revealed significant progress towards Its 2027 sustainability targets, including increasing income for farmers, social wellbeing, and deforestation-free cocoa.
Sustainability
Nestlé claims cocoa farmers reaping rewards of its income accelerator programme
In a major update, Nestlé says its income accelerator programme is helping cocoa farmers substantially improve cocoa productivity and increase their net income.
Regulation
German confectionery industry calls for ‘significant strengthening of the European single market’
The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) is specifically demanding a set of measures for future European legislation.
Sustainability
US chocolate for good: companies launch impact programme for female cocoa farmers in Ghana
A new impact investment partnership, ‘Women for Chocolate,’ has launched in Ghana to ensure the success of women cocoa farmers.
Sustainability
Ofi Cocoa partners with USAID to deliver enhanced supply chain transparency
Major cocoa supplier ofi (olam food ingredients), has claimed recent developments in data and technology are behind its progress towards creating a more sustainable supply chain.
Regulation
Brussels, do we have a problem with the EUDR?
‘Beleaguered’ is perhaps too strong an adjective to describe the forthcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), but when the bloc’s Director General for Trade goes on record as describing its current state as "extremely burdensome," then...
Sustainability
Civil societies welcome EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
The proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) seeks to introduce legal obligations for large corporations to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their global supply chains.
CN Webinar
Free webinar: Is there a crisis in cocoa supply chains?
With the new European Union Deforestation Regulation on the horizon, should the industry adopt a more responsible approach to procurement when sourcing cocoa beans and other ingredients? Sign up for our free webinar to discuss!
World Cocoa Conference 2024
Report finds EU cocoa beans from Cote d’Ivoire farmed from deforested land in neighboring Liberia
An investigation by Initiatives for Community Development and Forest Conservation (IDEF) has revealed that some cocoa beans exported from Cote d'Ivoire to the EU originate from deforested land in neighboring Liberia.
World Cocoa Conference 2024
Oxfam slams large chocolate companies at World Cocoa Conference
Against a backdrop of cocoa topping $11,000 per metric ton on the futures market for the first time last week, Oxfam says its experts will be highlighting the discrepancies in farmgate price at this week’s World Cocoa Conference (WCC) in Brussels (21-24...
Mondelēz International under investigation: What is parallel trade?
In 2021, the European Union opened up a formal investigation into Mondelēz International for allegedly restricting parallel trade. What is parallel trade? And how can it harm competition?
Company news
Nestlé rejects resolution to scale back on ‘unhealthy’ products
Nestlé shareholders rejected a resolution at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday (19 April) demanding the KitKat maker reduce its reliance on unhealthy products.
Regulation
Living income, EUDR, and Regenerative Agriculture on the table at World Cocoa Conference 2024
The Rainforest Alliance will outline its plans for greater collaboration in the chocolate industry at the World Cocoa Conference in Brussels next week.
Cocoa cooperatives in Côte d'Ivoire: A conduit for collective action
Cooperatives help cocoa farmers sell their produce, as well as work with ingredients companies to learn new agricultural techniques.
Deforestation unrest: EU policy implementation hangs in the balance after industry pushback
The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is facing major pushback from ministers and trade organisations within Europe, alongside continued pressure from palm oil producer nations in Asia, casting doubt on hopes for a smooth implementation.
Sustainability
Waitrose supermarket joins Tony’s Chocolonely's sustainability scheme
Dutch sustainable chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely has announced Waitrose has become a ‘Mission Ally’ and the first UK-owned retailer to join its unique sustainability supply chain.
Sustainabilty
High-level initiative set up to tackle child labour in Ghana
A multi-stakeholder initiative has been launched in Ghana to ‘end child labour in all its form,’ by eradicating its root causes, and coordinating ongoing efforts along Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
News
Moo Free unveils new traceability tool, The Hub
Dairy-free chocolate maker Moo Free is strengthening its sustainability credentials with the launch of The Hub, a business tool offering the manufacturer complete traceability across its supply chain.
Sustainability
Industry-backed methodology launched to calculate true level of cocoa farmer incomes
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), along with other industry stakeholders, has launched groundbreaking methodology for accurately measuring cocoa household and living incomes.
Commodites
Ghana poised to raise its cocoa farmgate price
Ghana will follow Cote d’Ivoire and raise the fixed farmgate price paid to cocoa farmers by up to 50%. The announcement could be made as early as the end of this week, ConfectioneryNews understands.
Climate
Perfetti Van Melle sets course to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in supply chain
Perfetti Van Melle, the owner of international confectionery brands including Mentos, Chupa Chups, and Fruittella, has announced that its near-term science-based greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets (including FLAG) have been evaluated and...
Regulation
Fairtrade calls for UK to beef up its deforestation laws
Similar to the European Union's deforestation measures to tackle deforestation linked to commodity imports, the UK government has announced a new global deforestation law, but Fairtrade is concerned about the extra costs to farmers.
EUDR: 'Significant legal uncertainties persist'
Operators and traders strive to comply with EUDR but face challenges: gaps in information, technical solutions, and supply chain complexities, claim FEFAC, FEDIOL, and agribusiness groups.
Seasonal
Fairtrade urges UK to buy more sustainable Easter eggs
This Easter, shoppers can do more than choose between milk, dark, or white chocolate eggs; they have the power to make a significant difference to the cocoa farmers, says Fairtrade UK.
Sustainability
Fairtrade UK hits 30 and continues to make its mark
Fairtrade is marking its 30th anniversary with a series of innovative events and campaigns throughout the year.
EU agriculture ministers rally behind Austria's bid to revise EUDR but environmental groups reckon EC won't be deterred
Agriculture ministers from 20 of the EU's 27 member countries supported Austria’s proposal to revise the EUDR at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday.
Regulations
‘Enough is Enough’: State-level ingredients ban unjust claims NCA
The National Confectioners Association is using its influence on Capitol Hill to dispel misconceptions about food additives after several states have implemented bans independently of the FDA.
EUDR
European Union to delay ‘high risk’ element of deforestation bill
The European Union (EU) has signalled its intent to delay the most controversial parts of its anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR) after protests by governments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America described the low, standard, or high-risk benchmarking...
Shrinkflation: Are brands losing customers in this covert effort to cut costs?
Brands have been quietly shrinking the size of some products for a while but consumers are getting wise to this moneysaving trick and voting with their wallets.
CSDDD backed by EU: What’s changed?
After weeks of delay, the CSDDD has finally gained EU backing. However, with a range of concessions and changes made to the legislation, what does the revised CSDDD look like?
Achieving compliance with EUDR: Does a Berlin-based startup have the answer?
LiveEO, a Berlin-based provider of satellite analytics, has launched TradeAware Lite, a free version of its software platform, TradeAware, designed to help companies achieve compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Total recall: Which foods are being withdrawn from shelves and why?
Recall data has been examined across multiple geographies to identify the key food safety trends of 2023.
Sustainability
Asia Cocoa Conference returns to Singapore with ‘A Confluence of Positive Change' agenda
The biennial Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA) International Cocoa Conference is set to return to Singapore on 12 to 13 September 2024, bringing together more than 600 senior business leaders, key stakeholders, decision-makers, and thought leaders from the...
Amsterdam Cocoa Week
Are we entering an age of ‘responsible procurement’ in the cocoa sector?
Procurement came under the spotlight at Chocoa’s recent Amsterdam Sustainable Cocoa Conference when it convened a panel of specialists to discuss why the practice is not just about buying beans - transactions should go a lot deeper in the value chain and...
WCF Partnership Meeting 2024
Fireside chat with cocoa bosses from West Africa gets heated as they warn markets will have to pay
It was billed in the World Cocoa Foundation agenda as a ‘Fireside Chat.’ Still, the conversation was anything but cozy as the 2024 Partnership Meeting welcomed back Yves Brahima Koné, Cote d’Ivoire’s Coffee & Cocoa Council director general, and Joseph...
Fair trade label retains purchasing power despite recession, study shows
Using a combination of social psychology and economic models, a new UK study shows fair trade product sales increased in popularity during an economic downturn while organic product sales dropped, indicating a divide between the two labels’ favourability...