Mars today announces that by 2010 all Galaxy milk chocolate bars will carry a Rainforest Alliance Certified seal in the UK & Ireland.
This would mean over 160 million chocolate bars, the equivalent of all the Easter Eggs purchased in the run up to Easter in the UK.
This agreement is just one aspect of a larger global commitment for Mars to certify its entire cocoa supply by 2020 as sustainably sourced. The announcement is the latest milestone in the long-standing cocoa sustainability efforts of Mars, one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers.
For 30 years, Mars has been a pioneer in its efforts to achieve sustainable cocoa production, investing over $10 million in each of the past several years in a wide range of initiatives.
“As a leader in the pursuit of a sustainable global cocoa industry, Mars, Incorporated in line with its Five Principles (Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom) is working towards developing and advancing sustainable cocoa farming systems for the millions of small holder farmers involved with cocoa production.
“Our commitment to sustainability is serious and long-term, and this announcement is a major step towards our global commitment to purchase only cocoa that is certified as being produced in a sustainable manner,” said Paul S. Michaels, Mars CEO and president. “We are determined to put our principles into action restoring cocoa supply for the next generation.”
Cocoa certification with Rainforest Alliance is the next phase of a long-term relationship. Rainforest Alliance and Mars have been sharing ideas and expertise since The First International Workshop on Sustainable Cocoa Farming in 1998.
In 2008, Mars Drinks achieved Rainforest Alliance certification for three Flavia coffee offerings; and in that same year, we began the Mars Partnership for African Cocoa Communities of Tomorrow (iMPACT), through which Mars has been training cocoa farmers alongside the Rainforest Alliance.
This new agreement links Mars even more closely to cocoa farmers, working in partnership to produce cocoa that meets the criteria set out by Rainforest Alliance and other members of the Sustainable Agriculture Network and teaching cocoa producers new farming techniques that will significantly improve their yield and increase income – benefiting their families and communities while protecting the environment.
Howard-Yana Shapiro, global director of plant science and external research, Mars, Incorporated, said: “Rainforest Alliance certification will make a positive difference for everyone involved from cocoa farmer to chocolate bar – we aim to improve the livelihood of farmers and their communities, protect the environment and wildlife around them, and ensure the future of our business. That’s what sustainable business is about. Importantly, Mars will be able to reward farmers directly for their efforts in production, biodiversity preservation and other aspects of sustainable farming, whether economic, social or environmental.”
Tensie Whelan, president, Rainforest Alliance, said: “The move by Mars to Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa, with its biggest UK chocolate brand, shows a real commitment to sustainable farming. When companies with the scale and heritage of Mars show this level of leadership, the results are measurable improvements in the quality of life for cocoa farmers, their families and communities, and a cleaner, greener environment for all of us.”
Fiona Dawson, managing director, Mars Chocolate UK says: “We are very proud to make this announcement on Galaxy; not only is it our biggest brand in terms of sales in the UK, but it is also entirely chocolate. As a result it is the brand where we can make the biggest difference. We have been looking for ways to share our cocoa sustainability work in a meaningful way, and are pleased that we have taken this first step with such a well-loved brand.”
In addition to this certification with Rainforest Alliance, as a founding member of the UTZ Certified Good Inside program for cocoa, Mars will continue to work with UTZ and its partners to achieve the certification of cocoa produced using sustainable practices by small farmers in West Africa.
Source: Mars
