Coffee, tea, cocoa
Relevance and scope
In the cocoa-growing regions, too, there are also countless deficits such as the frequent infertility of the soil and trees, deforestation, exposure to chemicals and inadequate conditions and wages for the workers. The latter must be sustainably improved by commitment and thus meet the corresponding consumer requirements. There are similar problems with coffee as raw material. Here, too, consumers are demanding sustainable handling of the raw material and all the associated economic, ecological and social aspects. More sustainability is also required in the tea sector, especially as tea-based drinks are very popular with the world population.
The aim here is to reduce the effects of climate change and improve the disastrous labour conditions in the cultivation regions. In particular, an end must be put to child labour, which unfortunately still occurs far too frequently in these areas. The hazelnut sector is also affected by these inhumane and environmentally damaging conditions. The various organisations behind the certifications such as FAIRTRADE, UTZ and RFA are committed to improving these circumstances. In addition, UTZ and RFA ("Rainforest Alliance") are endeavouring to establish a joint company name in which they can work together to combat the prevailing deficits. The aim of the merger is to generate greater reach and give the objective a stronger voice. This is intended to strengthen the partners and stakeholders.
The ZHG would also like to improve the sustainable use of cocoa, coffee, tea and hazelnuts. The following statements apply to all articles under the jurisdiction of ZHG that contain cocoa, coffee or tea in any form in the recipe.
FAIRTRADE
FAIRTRADE is an independent initiative for the promotion of fair trade in the one world. The organisation is the oldest and most internationally renowned of its kind. FAIRTRADE aims at improving living and working conditions for disadvantaged producers in the Global South. Over 1.9 million producers in 72 countries already benefit from fair trade. They also have a 50 per cent stake in the FAIRTRADE system - which makes them active and shapers of equal rights.
The non-profit organisation FAIRTRADE Germany is responsible for products on the German market. It awards the seal to products that meet the international FAIRTRADE standards. For example, these prohibit child labour, stipulate sustainable cultivation and guarantee support for producers via local Fairtrade producer networks in addition to minimum prices and premiums.
The label owner and standard setter is the umbrella organisation FAIRTRADE International in Bonn, which was founded in 1997. Compliance with the standards is verified by the recognised certification company, FLOCERT. By purchasing FAIRTRADE products, consumers can make a direct difference and support small farmers and workers on plantations.
ZHG and FAIRTRADE are already licence partners and the ZHG range already includes a number of FAIRTRADE products in the cocoa and coffee segment, including various breakfast cereals, muesli bars and coffee beans. The focus will continue to be on the expansion of the product range.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance seal with the green or black frog stands for a better future for people and nature. Human rights must be respected on certified farms - they should be a safe place to work and live for all employees. The producers are given special training on topics such as gender equality and the avoidance of child labour and discrimination.
The Rainforest Alliance is committed to improving the living conditions of farm owners and workers, for example by supporting producers in more sustainable cultivation methods.
As a result, they achieve higher crop yields, have lower costs and are better able to adapt to the consequences of the climate crisis. Certified producers also actively contribute to environmental protection, e.g. by using natural resources sparingly, using less artificial fertiliser and pesticides and avoiding waste. They are also given training on how to preserve protected forest areas and thus biodiversity.
More about rainforest alliance
ZHG's range includes a number of Fairtrade cocoa products, including breakfast cereals and muesli bars, as well as one type of coffee bean. A Fairtrade sourcing program such as the Fairtrade Cocoa Program, which certifies cocoa as a component of a product, is usually used here.
Around 88% of the raw cocoa used by our suppliers in products comes from RFA-certified sources and an additional 11% from Fairtrade-certified sources. In the near future, we expect to achieve a total of 100% certification in this area.
Sine 2023, all our teas and items containing tea have been RFA-certified.
The aim is to certify all products in the area of the three raw materials coffee, tea and cocoa primarily according to FAIRTRADE or secondarily according to Rainforest Alliance. In terms of FAIRTRADE, the focus is specifically on the FAIRTRADE sourcing program and not on full FAIRTRADE [RC1] [SM2].
Background
FAIRTRADE has stricter guidelines and is therefore preferable to RFA. If FAIRTRADE is not possible, RFA-certified goods are still preferable to non-certified goods.