From 2023, 100% of the cocoa purchased for Mars Wrigley’s direct factory operations across Europe will be responsibly sourced.
PARIS, France (October 4, 2022) — Mars Wrigley has announced that it has reached a key milestone in its commitment to sourcing its cocoa responsibly by declaring that from 2023, 100% of the cocoa purchased for its direct factory operations in Europe will be verified as responsibly sourced cocoa. This means the company will purchase a volume of responsibly sourced cocoa equivalent to the volumes used in its European production.
This means the cocoa for beloved products including SNICKERS®, M&M'S®, Mars® Bar, DOVE®/GALAXY®, Maltesers® and MILKY WAY® will be 100% responsibly sourced cocoa from 2023.
This transition to 100% responsibly sourced cocoa is a key part of Mars Wrigley’s Cocoa for Generations Strategy, which was established in 2018 with the aim of delivering real, lasting positive change across the supply chain for future generations. It focuses on the critical issues that need to be addressed for cocoa farming families to thrive, taking action to help protect children, preserve forests, and improve farmer income.
Benjamin Guilbert, Vice President Procurement at Mars Wrigley Europe, CIS & Turkey commented: "Achieving 100% responsibly sourced cocoa for our European factories will be a huge milestone for the business. Cocoa is key to our global chocolate brands and to the livelihoods of an estimated 350,000 cocoa farmers in our supply chain. As one of the world’s largest buyers of cocoa, we have a responsibility to help drive positive, long-lasting, systemic impact to support the farmers and communities in our supply chain."
Inge Jacobs, Senior Director of Human Rights and Social Impact, Mars Wrigley Global said: "We know there is much more work to be done, but we are determined to continue working in collaboration with key partners to create a modern, inclusive, and sustainable cocoa supply chain - one where the environment is protected, human rights are respected, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive."
As outlined in the latest Cocoa for Generations(Opens a new window) update report launched on September 18, Mars Wrigley is on track to reach its global goal of 100% of its cocoa being sourced through its Responsible Cocoa program and traceable to first point of purchase by 2025. As of the end of 2021, 61% of the company’s global cocoa was sourced through the Responsible Cocoa program, with 44% of its global supply traceable to farm boundaries from first point of purchase.
The announcement was made at the launch of a unique immersive and interactive cocoa exhibition in Paris, showcasing cocoa from growing the beans to the company’s latest innovations to promote Cocoa for Generations(Opens a new window) and its commitments and initiatives.
Explanatory Notes
- Mars Wrigley has confirmed contracts to buy an amount of responsibly sourced cocoa(Opens a new window) for 2023 equivalent to the volume used in its direct factory operations in Europe. This includes: Haguenau (France), Janaszówek (Poland), Slough (UK), Steinbourg (France), Veghel (Netherlands) and Viersen (Germany).
- These factory operations manufacture the following products: Balisto, Bounty, Celebrations, Dove/Galaxy, M&M'S, Maltesers, Mars, Milky Way, Snickers and Twix (milk chocolate).
- In saying ‘responsibly sourced cocoa’ in connection with a product, the company means that it has sourced enough cocoa originating from farms benefiting from its Responsible Cocoa program to meet the product’s production needs.
- Under this method, cocoa sourced under our Responsible Cocoa program may be mixed with conventional cocoa during processing, shipping, and manufacturing. From 2023, cocoa sourced under our Responsible Cocoa program will be purchased in volumes equivalent to that needed for our direct factory operations in Europe.
ABOUT MARS, INCORPORATED
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This common purpose unites our 140,000+ Associates. It is at the center of who we are as a global, family-owned business, and it fuels how we are transforming, innovating, and evolving to make a positive impact on the world.
Every year, our diverse and expanding portfolio of quality confectionery, food, and pet care products and services delight millions of people and supports millions of pets. With almost $45 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world's best-loved brands including Ben's Original™, CESAR®, Cocoavia®, DOVE®, EXTRA®, KIND®, M&M's®, SNICKERS®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, and WHISKAS®. We are creating a better world for pets through nutrition, breakthrough programs in diagnostics, wearable health monitoring, DNA testing, pet welfare and comprehensive veterinary care with AniCura, BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, Linnaeus and VCA™.
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