The top cocoa consumer regions in the world have disclosed their figures of cocoa grinding for the first quarter of the year. The amount of cocoa beans grinded is usually taken as an indication of the evolution of the consumption of this product, given the difficulty of making more accurate estimates as the cocoa is an ingredient involved in several products -not only in chocolate-, and always in very different proportions (biscuits, breakfast, cereals, yogurts, ice creams, etc).
FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today opened the FAO Council, presenting the 2014-2015 Programme of Work and Budget which calls for an increase of 1 percent of the Organization’s budget in real terms to support the Organization’s core work in fighting hunger and malnutrition and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, today unveiled a unique addition to its Cocoa Horizons sustainability initiative – the Cocoa Horizons Truck: A multi-purpose mobile unit powered by solar energy, which provides space for farmer training sessions in good agricultural practices, basic health care services, literacy training and child labor sensitization programs. The Cocoa Horizons Truck, built in Belgium, will now be shipped to Côte d’Ivoire where it will travel through the cocoa growing regions as of July. The Cocoa Horizons Truck is a pilot project and part of Barry Callebaut’s plan to significantly step up the impact of its Quality Partner Program (QPP), a cocoa farming program which is an integral part of the company’s 10-year Cocoa Horizons sustainability initiative.
Cargill today announced a new initiative to help food and beverage manufacturers and foodservice operators find formulation solutions to address the complex challenges associated with improving childhood nutrition.
The well-documented rise of obesity and related health issues among U.S. children is concerning. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), obesity rates among children and teenagers have tripled in the past 30 years. If obesity trends continue, the associated medical costs could rise to an estimated $66 billion annually by 2030.
As part of long-term marketing development activities, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is bringing a team of Japanese milling executives to North Dakota and Washington, D.C., May 1 to 7, for a firsthand look at this year’s crop.
In mid 2012 Natra materialized the desire to improve its contribution to society and its recognition as a responsible company, with the approval by its board of directors of a statement on corporate social responsibility (CSR) to be integrated into the management of its cocoa and chocolate business for the coming years.
Turns out that concern for the current stateand future of the environment are on the rise in 2013 (38 percent vs. 31 percent in 2012) even as economic indicators point to all-time stock market highs and a solid housing market recovery. However, as Americans start to feel better about reaching into their pockets, they still may not be ready to dish out the extra green on organic items. Turns out that more than half (59 percent) agree that labeling food or other products as organic is just an excuse to charge more.
In honor of National Jelly Bean Day (April 22), Jelly Belly unveiled its newest creation Tuesday – the Jelly Belly Jewel Collection. These gem-inspired candies shimmer with an iridescent sheen, making them almost too beautiful to eat. Almost.
Nestlé Professional, the Nestlé business that supplies the food services industry, is investing EUR 40 million to extend its Davigel factory in Noyal-Pontivy, France.
