Chocolate Company Whittaker’s Joins ICI

The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has welcomed a new member, Whittaker's, a family-owned bean-to-bar chocolate manufacturer based in Porirua, New Zealand, becoming the organization's first member from the Oceania region.

According to the company, this membership is aligned with its commitment to responsible sourcing and protecting the wellbeing of the communities in which it sources its raw materials from West Africa, with the goal of eliminating child labour from its supply chain.

Whittaker's has indicated that this step is part of its ongoing approach to responsible sourcing and attention to social issues within its supply chain, including the elimination of child labour. "We believe 'best is always better', for us, this is not only about making the best quality chocolate using the finest ingredients, but also about doing it in the best way we can, including sourcing ingredients that are ethically produced. We're always striving to do better in this regard, and we're delighted to join ICI as another step in that journey," said Whittaker's co-Chief Operating Officers Matt and Holly Whittaker.

Whittaker's has indicated that this step is part of its ongoing approach to responsible sourcing and attention to social issues within its supply chain, including the elimination of child labour.

"We believe 'best is always better', for us, this is not only about making the best quality chocolate using the finest ingredients, but also about doing it in the best way we can, including sourcing ingredients that are ethically produced. We're always striving to do better in this regard, and we're delighted to join ICI as another step in that journey," said Whittaker's co-Chief Operating Officers Matt and Holly Whittaker.

Whittaker's expressed the company's commitment to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and community development, explaining that the company collaborates directly with farming communities to promote responsible agricultural practices and ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality produce.

"Efforts to address child labour and forced labour rely on collaboration and shared responsibility across the sector. This becomes more relevant in a context of increased Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) and forced labour legislation that we are seeing in many jurisdictions, including the EU but also under development in New Zealand," said ICI Executive Director Matthias Lange.

Welcoming Whittaker's, he added, "Collective action through ICI can create more sustainable cocoa-growing communities that foster lasting change, we look forward to working with Whittaker's on this shared mission."