The announcement this week that chocolate sold by Nestle Australia is independently certified to ensure the cocoa used in its production is produced sustainably on farms with safe working conditions has been welcomed by humanitarian groups.
Nestle use more than 3,000 tonnes of UTZ certified cocoa to produce its chocolates in Australia, including Kit Kat, Smarties and Club chocolate.
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE: Nestle Australia has announced all the cocoa used in the production of its chocolates will be independently certified. IMAGE: Courtesy of Nestle Australia
UTZ certified products are independently verified as having been produced in conditions that meet basic worker rights standards including a ban on child labour. The certification also includes standards for sustainable agricultural practices to better support farmers and the environment.
Nestle is the first major chocolate manufacturer in the country to source all cocoa for its retail confectionary business from certified and sustainable farms.
World Vision Australia has welcomed the move, saying it was a “significant milestone” for the industry.
Ruth Dearnley, World Vision Australia’s expert on people trafficking, says the announcement is “tremendous news” for cocoa farmers in West Africa.
“For many years, forced, child and trafficked labour have been a cold hard reality in cocoa farming communities ” a practice that is fuelled by the global demand for chocolate at a cheap price,” she says.
Ms Dearnley says the decision shows Australian consumers have a “powerful role” to play in global fair trade.
“If we demand change for the better, companies will listen…” she says. “(N)estle has made a significant step in demonstrating that the chocolate industry can thrive without contributing to the exploitation of others.”
World Vision is now urging other companies to follow suit.
The move has also been welcomed by Baptist World Aid Australia whose Catalyst advocacy groups have been participating in the global campaign to see major chocolate companies adopt ethical certification for their cocoa.
Gershon Nimbalker, the organisation’s advocacy manager, says it is “amazing to think that Nestle, the largest food company in the world, has responded to the calls of everyday Australians, standing up for a cause they believed in”
“It turns out our actions can change the world and we can be love to the poor.”
Mr Nimbalker says the organisation was now “eager to hear from Nestle regarding their plans for the rest of their global operations”.
Nestle’s move is in line with the 10 year Nestle Cocoa Plan. Launched in 2009, its aims include supplying farmers with higher yielding cocoa trees, training them in more efficient farming methods and responsible work practices, and working with non-government organisations and the governments of Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana to stamp out forced labour practices in the cocoa industry.
