| Project Detail |
In response to the stringent MRLs for cadmium content in cocoa and chocolate products imported into the EU, the Cadmium in Cocoa project is designed to facilitate the flow of knowledge from expertise in Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and Trinidad & Tobago, as well as globally, to improve the current state of knowledge and best practices in the LAC cocoa value chains to mitigate against cadmium in cocoa from the region. The project will focus on harmonization of testing protocols, training at the technical and extension levels, deciphering main causes of Cadmium contamination in hot spots and recommend remediate/mitigate strategies, communication and raising awareness through improved collaboration and information sharing and establishing Cd mitigation principles in national cocoa sector plans.
General objective:
The objective of the project is to support countries (Columbia, Ecuador, Peru Ecuador and Trinidad) to develop a pathway to meet the international regulations regarding cadmium concentrations in cocoa-derived products that can be adopted by other fine and flavor cocoa producing countries in LAC .
Specific objectives:
To establish a Platform for information sharing and consensus formation among premier cadmium in cocoa research agencies for consensus on standardized terminologies, testing protocols, national strategies for signature by officials and Best Practices for cadmium Mitigation and Remediation in cocoa and cocoa products from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago.
To develop curriculum and train technical staff in 4 countries in agreed standardized protocols to analyze Cadmium levels in cocoa and cocoa products.
To improve Knowledge and Mapping of Cadmium Presence/Hotspots in Cocoa Growing Areas, determine main causes and recommend best practices for mitigation and/or remediation
To develop curriculum for training Master Trainers in recommended best practices for raising awareness and dissemination of information on massive scale to cocoa farmers and value chain actors across 4 countries. |
