As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, Fuji Oil Holdings, along with subsidiary Blommer Chocolate Company, today announced two global initiatives that address the most significant social issues faced by the cocoa industry.  The first is a commitment to eliminate the Worst Forms of Child Labor (WFCL) in the Company’s cocoa supply chain by 2025 and, ultimately, to eliminate all forms of Child Labor as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) by 2030. The second is a commitment to distribute 1,000,000 forest tree seedlings by 2030 to areas deforested as a result of cocoa farming. 

“We are excited to announce the first major cocoa sustainability initiatives resulting from the collaboration between Fuji Oil and Blommer Chocolate. In alignment with our group management philosophy, we view cocoa sustainability as one of our highest priorities,” said Hiroshi Shinano, Executive Officer, Oils & Fats and Chocolate Division for Fuji Oil.  “These exciting initiatives create concrete targets in line with our ‘Responsible Cacao Sourcing Policy’ which was announced in 2018.”

“Building upon our long history of leadership in cocoa sustainability, these initiatives represent an important new phase in our work to improve the livelihoods of the communities involved in our cocoa supply chain,” said Kip Walk, Senior Director, Corporate Sustainability for Blommer.  “It is essential that we protect the welfare of the children living in the cocoa growing communities, as well as work to preserve and restore the forest environments.”

Fuji Oil and Blommer, through their Sustainable Origins program, has established child labor monitoring and remediation systems (CLMRS) in 97% of their direct supply chain.  In delivering on the commitment to eliminate the WFCL, Fuji Oil and Blommer will expand the CLMRS activity to include the remainder of their cocoa bean and product supply chain as part of a multi-tiered strategy which will also include polygon mapping, women’s empowerment and access to education.

Given the importance of access to quality education in addressing child labor issues, Fuji Oil and Blommer are pleased to announce their intention to join two exciting new initiatives led by the Jacobs Foundation. The first initiative, Child Learning and Education Facility (CLEF), aims to reach 5 million children and 10 million parents in cocoa growing areas and beyond, focusing on access to quality primary education. The second initiative, also based in Cote d’Ivoire, is the Early Learning and Nutrition Facility (ELAN).  ELAN is designed to provide quality services and training in early childhood development and nutrition to 1.3 million children below the age of 5 and their caregivers. Fuji Oil and Blommer are pleased to join other industry partners in this collaborative effort.

In addition, and expanding on current programs in Cote d’Ivoire and Ecuador, Fuji Oil and Blommer will establish a new sustainability program in Ghana incorporating the same multi-tiered approach.  The program will supply beans and products to Europe, Asia and the U.S.  

Aligned with Fuji Oil’s deforestation policies for Palm and Blommer’s activities under the Cocoa and Forests Initiative, a landscape model approach will be used in the distribution of the 1,000,000-seedling target.  Early stages of the program will target Cote d’ Ivoire and Ghana.  Additional regions of the supply chain will be considered in later years.  Varieties will be selected with the purpose of providing alternative income sources for communities along with the benefit of reestablishing the forest canopy.       

# # #

About Fuji Oil Holdings

About Fuji Oil Holding Inc. The Fuji Oil Group is a manufacturer of plant-based food solutions in the fields of hard butters for chocolate and industrial use chocolate; confectionery and bakery ingredients including cream, margarine, and cheese-flavor ingredients; and soy ingredients. We deliver delicious and healthy foods to customers around the world based on the idea of plant-based food solutions. We have 16 chocolate factories in 10 countries, and we have a wide range of chocolate business in Japan, Southeast Asia, China, Australia, United States, Canada, Brazil and Belgium. Ever since its founding in 1950, Fuji Oil has adhered to the conviction that its path to survival and advancement lies in cultivating new fields through application of its originality, without following the lead of other companies. With a focus on tropical oils and fats, we began developing business overseas at an early stage. Similarly, in the belief that soybeans will contribute to human health and the environment, we have been researching and making sophisticated use of them for half a century.  https://www.fujioilholdings.com/en/

About Blommer Chocolate Company

Blommer Chocolate Company is the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier in North America. The company provides comprehensive business solutions for domestic and international customers of all sizes in the confectionery, baking and dairy industries. Among Blommer’s core competencies are cocoa bean processing, chocolate manufacturing, commodity risk management, and product and process R&D. The company is a leader in advancing sustainable cocoa farming as a founding member of the World Cocoa Foundation and through its privately managed farmer programs in Cote d'Ivoire and Ecuador. Founded in 1939, Blommer maintains an outstanding reputation for customer service and quality. For more information about Blommer Chocolate Company, please visit www.blommer.com. 

The Blommer Chocolate Company

The Blommer Chocolate Company

Blommer Chocolate Company is the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier in North America. With over 650 employees and four strategically located manufacturing facilities in North America, the company provides comprehensive business solutions for domestic and international customers of all sizes in the confectionery, baking and dairy industries. Among Blommer’s core competencies are cocoa bean processing, chocolate manufacturing, commodity risk management, and product and process R&D.

The company is a leader in advancing sustainable cocoa farming, playing an active role in the World Cocoa Foundation and promoting sustainable farming practices through its privately managed programs in Cote d'Ivoire, Indonesia and Ecuador. Founded in 1939, the family owned and operated company maintains an outstanding reputation for customer service and quality.

More from The Blommer Chocolate Company