Nestlé’s KitKat to use sustainably sourced cocoa from next year

Nestlé’s chocolate brand KitKat is set to use only sustainably sourced cocoa to manufacture all of its products by the first quarter of next year.

The new development will mark the extension of the company’s existing practise in certain markets, making sure the brand’s products across the world are not made using child labour.

Nestlé Confectionery head Sandra Martinez said: "We’re delighted to be a flag bearer for the industry, as the first global chocolate brand to announce such a move.

"Sustainable cocoa sourcing helps safeguard the livelihoods of farming communities and delivers higher quality cocoa beans. This announcement will only strengthen consumer trust in KitKat as a responsible brand."

The new initiative is part of Nestlé’s commitment to source 150,000t of sustainably produced cocoa by 2017 through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, which aims to enhance the lives of cocoa farming communities, as well as the quality of its cocoa.

It will enable farmers to run profitable farms, improve social conditions, and source good quality, sustainable cocoa for Nestlé’s products.

In February, Nestlé USA decided to remove artificial flavours and FDA-certified colours from all of its chocolate products by the end of the year.

The manufacturer will avoid using artificial flavours and certified colours, including Red 40 and Yellow 5, in more than 250 products and ten brands, including Nestlé, Butterfinger, Crunch and Baby Ruth.

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Image: KitKat will use exclusively sustainability-sourced cocoa in all of its products from the first quarter of 2016. Photo: courtesy of Nestlé.