Nestlé Kit Kat to become Fairtrade certified
Nestlé strengthens its commitment to sustainable cocoa sourcing
Kit Kat is due to become Fairtrade certified. Photo: Bloomberg News
Nestlé Ireland has announced that Kit Kat, its leading confectionery brand, will be certified Fairtrade in Ireland and the UK.
This move follows the launch of Nestlé’s global Cocoa Plan which represents a €72 million investment over the next ten years in programmes to address the key economic, social and environmental issues facing cocoa farming communities.
Focusing predominantly on the Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire), the world’s largest cocoa producing country, the aim of the Cocoa Plan is to use Nestlé’s agricultural and scientific know-how to improve the quality and yield of cocoa plants, offer farmer training and education and improve the social conditions for farmers and their communities.
Fairtrade certification of Kit Kat will facilitate long term direct commitments to cocoa co-operatives including additional payments for the farmers to invest in community or business development projects of their own choice, such as improving healthcare and schools.
The first Kit Kats to carry the Fairtrade mark in Ireland will be the four-finger version from January 2010.
David Rennie, Managing Director, Nestlé Confectionery UK, said: “I am delighted that following the launch of the global Cocoa Plan, Kit Kat - our leading confectionery brand - will now be Fairtrade certified in the UK and Ireland."
"Consumers are increasingly interested in how we source and manufacture their favourite products and certifying our largest and most iconic brand is one of the ways in which we are committing to improving the lives of as many cocoa farming families as possible. Over 6000 Ivorian farmers will benefit immediately as a result of today’s announcement.”
