It was almost 20 years ago that Colombian cocoa was officially recognized by the ICCO (International Cocoa Organization) as Cacao Fino de Aroma (fine aroma beans). Almost 95% of Colombia’s total cocoa production is classed as Cacao Fino de Aroma by the ICCO, and the country is among the 10 leading cocoa‐producing countries worldwide.
Attempting to comply with the numerous levels of certification imposed on farmers, suppliers, and producers in terms of cost and bureaucracy has been described as ‘administration hell’ by one cocoa cooperative director, who spends up to 80% of his time on administration instead of replanting, cultivating and caring for plots. In some cases, almost 20% of annual budgets is swallowed up by having to conform to various certification standards, and the scenario is only going to get worse with the impending EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), ConfectioneryNews has learned.
Consumer Reports (CR), a US independent, non-profit member organisation, has doubled down on its campaign against lead and cadmium in chocolate and urges changes after a new survey finds a third of products contain ‘concerning’ levels of heavy metals.