July 2025 News & AMA | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 130

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Episode 130 Overview

People participating live can ask AMA questions in the chat at any point during the episode. News topics lined up to be covered include:

The Continuing Saga of the Cost of Cocoa

1️⃣ ⋯ Heavy Metal (Thunder) Update

Heavy Metals In Cocoa and Chocolate: A New Study

Cocoa and chocolate have long been known to contain heavy metals; the most studied have been cadmium and lead. But does eating high cocoa content chocolate and cocoa powder present a real risk to your health?

The Chocolate LifeKeith Ayoob

2️⃣ ⋯ Awards

Deep Dive: International Chocolate Awards 2024 World Final | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 129

Episode 129 takes a deep dive look at the Winners in the 2024 World Final round of the International Chocolate Awards. Which company was the biggest winner? What can we learn about the distribution of winning entries? And more. [Updated]

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Winners - Good Food Foundation

Tasty, Authentic, Responsible

Good Food Foundation

3️⃣ ⋯ Other News (and news-adjacent) Stories

Death of co-founder highlights rise of B Corps across the...

In 2006 Andrew Kassoy, who died last week, founded the B Lab with two friends. Since then, companies with an explicit social and/or environmental purpose…

The Observer

I started doing the research into how many chocolate and confectionery companies are B Corp certified. So far, I have found 59 chocolate companies. I am doing some analysis on them and will proceed to confectionery companies. I may also widen the search to include “snacking” companies as well as companies that use chocolate in other sectors (ice cream) that might not be in the first three categories. Stay tuned!

Chocolate lovers will adore these 10 chocolate shops

Chocolate lovers shouldn’t miss these 10 independent chocolate shops, voted as the best in the country by our readers.

USA TODAY 10Best10BEST Editors

What You Should Always Look For On The Label When Shopping For Higher Quality Chocolate - Chowhound

When shopping for chocolate, several aspects can clue you in to whether a bar is high-quality or not. But this is what you should always check for.

ChowhoundEloise Rollins-Fife

15 Food Combinations That Shouldn’t Work But Do

Some of the most memorable meals come from the most unexpected pairings. Traditional cooking wisdom suggests certain ingredients should never meet on the same plate, yet adventurous eaters have discovered that breaking these unwritten rules often leads to surprisingly delicious results. These unconventional combinations challenge our preconceptions about flavor and prove that culinary creativity knows … Continue reading “15 Food Combinations That Shouldn’t Work But Do”

Go2TutorsAce Vincent

Source ⋯ Go2Tutors is the internet’s top destination for learning about anything and everything under the sun. We’ll teach you things you didn’t know about history, geography, pop culture, nature, architecture, culture, space, food, and much more. 

Best Chocolates in the World | TasteAtlas

TasteAtlas

Chocolate Moonshine with Chilli - The Sweet Potato Spirit Company

A bold and fiery twist on a rich classic flavour. Our chocolate chilli moonshine blends smooth and velvety chocolate with a gentle kick of chilli heat. Serve straight or over ice. Sweet Potato Chocolate Moonshine with Chilli was awarded Gold at the World Spirit Awards 2017.

Sweet Potato Spirit CompanySweet Potato Spirit Company

Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts

FDA and industry press releases regarding product recalls

FDAOffice of Inspections and Investigations

What undeclared allergens might Dubai chocolate contain?

The FSA has found that Dubai chocolate contains several allergens. What are they?

ConfectioneryNews.comAugustus Bambridge-Sutton

Chocolate confectionery trends 2025, consumer insights and

Chocolate trends reveal that digestive and gut health has become the primary health aspect driving functional food and beverage purchases, with average

English

Ten Designer Chocolates That You Must Try – CR Fashion Book

The renowned American luxury retailer recognizes fashion’s luminaries with the return of its annual award ceremony.

CR Fashion BookAlexander Hernandez Gonzalez

4️⃣ ⋯ Open Opportunity

Unique Chocolate Retail Opportunity in Harvard Square

Sublet move-in ready space within a historic retail storefront steps from Harvard Square. Utilities, fixtures, and a dedicated storefront window display space are included. [Updated March 31.]

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

5️⃣ ⋯ Festival Updates

California Chocolate Expo

California Chocolate Expo November 15th-16th, 2025 12:00-6:00 pm Red Lion Hotel 1830 Hilltop Dr., Redding, CA 96002

California Chocolate ExpoCalifornia Chocolate Expo

Chocolate Events + Holidays Calendar

A calendar of Chocolate Festivals, Conferences, Exhibitions, Trade Fairs, and Food (& other) Holidays. This is a work in progress. Is there something missing or wrong? Please scroll down for instructions and let us know so it can be added or corrected. [ Updated January 20, 2025. ]

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

Questions?

If you have questions or want to comment, you can do so during the episode or, if you are a ChocolateLife member, you can add them in the Comments below at any time.

Episode Hashtags and Socials

#News #AMA #Trends
#cocoa #cacao #cacau
#chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate
#PodSaveChoc #PSC
#LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife

Future Episodes

#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives

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Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and Archive

News, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

#TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archive

News, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon

PodSaveChocolate

Hosted by Clay Gordon, the creator and moderator of TheChocolateLife.com, #PodSaveChocolate covers a wide variety of topics in the worlds of cocoa and chocolate. The video versions of this podcast are hosted and archived on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Click on the PodSaveChocolate link in the top nav on TheChocolateLife for the links to the post accompanying each episode.

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