The UK's biggest retailer has endorsed the importance of sustainable sourcing, by announcing that all the cocoa in its own-label chocolate will come from Rainforest Alliance certified suppliers
The switch will be complete by 2018. By the same date, cocoa used in Tesco's other UK products, such as biscuits and cereals, will come from responsible sources, including Fairtrade, UTZ and Cocoa Horizons.
The Rainforest Alliance was delighted with the pledge, which it said would have a significant impact on improving the livelihoods of cocoa-farming communities.
Tesco has been under pressure to improve its performance since the exposure of accounting malpractice in 2014 caused its share price to collapse. In a bid to rebuild trust, it has introduced sustainable farming programmes with UK meat and dairy suppliers and extended a partnership with the Marine Stewardship Council.
However, some of its efforts have run into problems. The National Farmers Union has filed a complaint with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute over Tesco's use of 'fake' farm brands such as 'Woodside Farms' and 'Boswell Farms', which the NFU argues mislead consumers.
Published Friday 22 July 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
