During the World Cocoa Conference 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, an investigation revealed that companies sourcing cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire are inadvertently promoting deforestation in neighbouring Liberia. Bakary Traoré, representing the Initiatives for Community Development and Forest Conservation (IDEF), shared findings from a recent field study. The study criticized the current traceability systems used by these companies, which fail to meet the requirements of the new anti-deforestation regulation published on 9 June 2023, in the Official Journal of the European Union. Researchers are calling for the replacement of these ineffective mechanisms with Côte d’Ivoire’s more reliable and transparent national traceability system.…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned journalist and editor with a deep passion for the culinary arts. With over two decades of experience in the world of food writing, Sam has become a distinguished voice in the industry, renowned for his insightful reviews, engaging storytelling, and unwavering commitment to highlighting the finest in gastronomy. As the Editor-in-Chief of Feast Magazine, he leads a dynamic team dedicated to exploring the diverse and ever-evolving culinary landscape. Sam's journey into food journalism began with a childhood fascination for cooking, inspired by his grandmother's kitchen where he first learned the magic of blending flavors and crafting delicious meals. This early love for food led him to pursue a degree in Journalism from the University of Leeds, where he honed his skills in writing and developed a keen eye for detail. Throughout his career, Sam has traveled extensively, tasting and documenting cuisines from around the world. His articles are known for their rich, vivid descriptions and his ability to convey the cultural contexts of the dishes he explores. Whether it's a hidden gem in a bustling city or a traditional dish in a remote village, Sam's work brings the reader right to the heart of the culinary experience. Under Sam's leadership, Feast Magazine has flourished, earning accolades for its in-depth features, exclusive interviews with top chefs, and comprehensive guides to the best dining spots. His editorial vision emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and authenticity in the culinary world, ensuring that the magazine not only entertains but also educates and inspires its readers. Beyond his professional achievements, Sam is an advocate for food education and sustainable practices. He frequently participates in panels, workshops, and community events, sharing his expertise and fostering a greater appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of ethical food consumption. In his free time, Sam enjoys experimenting with new recipes, exploring local farmers' markets, and hosting dinner parties for friends and family. His personal blog, where he shares his culinary adventures and recipes, has a loyal following, further cementing his status as a trusted authority in the world of food. Sam Allcock's dedication to his craft and his genuine love for all things culinary make him a pivotal figure in food journalism, continuously inspiring and delighting food enthusiasts around the globe.
A report by Swiss investigative organisation Public Eye has found that Nestlé adds sugar and honey to its infant milk and cereal products marketed in many poorer countries. Nestlé holds a significant 20% share of the global baby food market, which is valued at nearly $70 billion. In 2022, the company recorded over $2.5 billion in sales from its popular baby food brands, Cerelac and Nido, predominantly in low- and middle-income nations. Despite advertising these products as crucial for children’s healthy development in its primary markets across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, these practices contravene international guidelines designed to combat…
Spanish seafood giant Angulas Aguinaga is making its foray into plant-based seafood alternatives through a collaboration with startup Vrave, launching a konjac-based calamari under the Aguinamar brand. The innovative product is now available in Spain and is being distributed through major supermarkets including Alcampo and Carrefour, as revealed by Vrave CEO and founder Ricard Puigdemont in an interview with Just Food. Looking ahead, Angulas Aguinaga and Vrave are set to expand their market reach. They plan to seek distributors to export the squid-free calamari to the UK, France, and Portugal starting “next month”. Puigdemont further disclosed the strategic vision for…
William Jackson Food Group (WJFG), a prominent UK food producer, has successfully acquired the family-operated baking business Lottie Shaw’s, based in West Yorkshire. The financial specifics of the acquisition have not been revealed. Lottie Shaw’s is set to become “an extension” of its Jacksons sliced bread brand, yet it will continue to operate “as a standalone business,” according to Owen Elliott, the Managing Director of Jacksons. He elaborated on the acquisition, stating: “The new partnership will help us broaden Jacksons’ reach beyond sliced bread and provide Lottie Shaw’s with additional expertise and scale to help secure long-term future growth.” Established…
The Coca-Cola Company has entered into a $1.1 billion agreement with Microsoft to enhance its cloud computing infrastructure and integrate Microsoft’s generative AI technologies globally. As part of the five-year “strategic partnership,” Coca-Cola and Microsoft will collaborate to pioneer new applications of technology such as the Azure OpenAI Service. This collaboration aims to create “innovative generative AI use cases across various business functions,” a statement revealed. Coca-Cola has transitioned all its applications to Microsoft Azure, with the majority of its major independent bottling partners doing likewise. The beverage giant has been utilising generative AI for nearly a year and has…
Grupo Bimbo is set to reduce its capital expenditure for 2024 and 2025 following a downturn in quarterly sales and profits, the Mexican bakery giant has reported. CFO Diego Gaxiola, speaking to analysts after the company presented its first-quarter financial results on 22 April, mentioned that the group was “expecting a slight decrease for this year” and “for 2025”. He suggested that there would likely be a “normalisation in [2026] going forward”. This announcement arrives as the group’s capital expenditure reached its zenith in 2024, characterised by a “very intensive” investment surpassing $2bn. Concurrently, Bimbo revised its sales forecast for…
Fazer Group is contemplating the merger of its two Baltic bakeries into a single production facility in Latvia, which may result in the loss of 185 jobs in Lithuania. The Finnish conglomerate is considering centralising “all production” of its Bakery Baltics division to its existing facility in Ogre, Latvia. Presently, the group operates bakeries in both Ogre and Kaunas, Lithuania. This consolidation would necessitate an investment of €18 million to enhance the site, including “an expanded warehouse for frozen and ambient products, new picking processes, and modernised production capabilities”. As a result of these changes, up to 185 employees in…
Poultry and pork processor Olymel has announced plans to close a meat processing facility in Canada due to decreasing production volumes. The facility located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, which primarily handles poultry alongside pork products, will see all 135 of its employees affected. The plant is scheduled to cease operations on 19 July, as stated by Olymel. “This decision comes against a backdrop of falling production volumes, which has led the plant to operate at only 40% of its operational capacity,” Olymel explained in a release. Yanick Gervais, CEO of Olymel, commented that the closure “is part of a major shift in…
In a significant move to provide emergency food assistance globally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have announced the allocation of $1 billion from the Commodity Credit Corporation to purchase commodities grown in the US. The announcement came from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, who stated, “America’s farmers are the most productive and efficient in the world, and we rely on them to supply safe and nutritious food not only to our nation, but to the global community.” Secretary Vilsack further highlighted the pressing need for…
Kroger and Albertsons are escalating their efforts to secure regulatory approval for their proposed $25bn merger by planning to sell additional stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers. In September last year, the retailers had initially planned to divest more than 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, aiming to gain the necessary regulatory green light for a merger first unveiled in October 2022. However, the merger faced a significant hurdle in February when the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sought to block it. The FTC argued that the merger would adversely affect both the retailers’ staff and customers, a claim both Kroger…