#PodSaveChocolate Archive

Host Clay Gordon introduces Antonie Fountain, Executive Director of The VOICE network, to discuss the implications of the upcoming European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on the cocoa and chocolate industries. The EUDR aims to stop deforestation and requires imported commodities, including cocoa, to prove that they have not come from areas deforested after 2020. Fountain highlights the importance of traceability and responsible sourcing, and the need to establish structures to prove compliance. He explains that the responsibility for compliance lies with whoever places the product on the EU market, and stresses the need to support smallholder cocoa farmers who may not have reliable access to technology. Fountain acknowledges the challenges of implementing the EUDR, but is optimistic about its potential impact in the medium to long term.

The conversation also highlights the environmental damage caused by deforestation in the cocoa sector. The complexity of determining which commodities to include is mentioned, with industries like timber and sugar having significant influence. The discussion also compares chocolate production in the United States and the rest of the world, noting differences in ingredients and flavors. The importance of understanding the unintended consequences of regulations and promoting awareness in the chocolate industry is emphasized.
— Summary generated by summarize.tech

In the latest episode of #PodSaveChocolate, host Clay Gordon welcomes back Terry Collingsworth from International Rights Advocates to discuss recent developments in the chocolate industry, specifically a new lawsuit against Mars, Mondelēz, and Cargill for child labor abuses and fraudulent rehabilitation programs. Collingsworth explains that the CBS News investigation came about through a whistleblower in Ghana who revealed information about the child labor issue and the fraudulent programs. The hosts express their frustration as these corporations have not kept their promises made 22 years ago to stop using child labor. Collingsworth discusses ongoing lawsuits against major companies, including Nestle, Cargill, and Mars, for their involvement in forced child labor, and the lawsuit filed under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act with a strong expectation of winning. The podcast also explores a French statute that requires reporting on deforestation and child labor in chocolate production, as well as collaboration with viewers to hold companies accountable. Throughout the episode, the hosts remain committed to keeping audiences informed and advocating for the essential truths underlying the reporting of Big Chocolate.
— Summary generated by summarize.tech