Major cholocate makers sign cocoa declaration

A bevy of big-name chocolate manufacturers have signed a new cocoa pledge, promising to help create a sustainable and fair cocoa industry.

Mondelez International, Nestlé, Ferrero and Mars all signed the Abidjan Cocoa Declaration at the World Cocoa Conference in Côte d'Ivoire last week. Conspicuously absent from the list of signees is Hersheys, makers of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Oh Henry and Hershey’s Kisses.

The pledge commits the chocolate manufacturers to working together to bolster the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the cocoa industry, according to an article on Confectionery News.com.

A spokesperson for the International Cocoa Association told the news site that more companies are expected to add their name to declaration in the coming days.

The President of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara attended the event with first lady Dominique, who spoke about child labour in the cocoa industry. She leads the country’s program to eliminate the widely-criticized practice.