Cargill's Cocoa & Chocolate business celebrates first year of Ghana plant with AIB recognition
Date: 8 December 2009
Contact:
Wendy Garbutt, +44 1932 861 174, wendy_garbutt@cargill.com
Floyd Jebson, +44 1869 353 813, floyd.jebson@razor-pr.com
The Netherlands - 8 December - Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate's plant in Tema, Ghana, has celebrated its first year of operation by obtaining recognition from AIB International, the first cocoa plant in Ghana to do so.
An AIB food safety auditor visited the plant to assess the company's policies, operations and the physical condition of the grounds, buildings, production and storage areas. The result was a score of 900 points out of a possible 1,000.
AIB is committed to protecting the safety of the food supply chain and delivering high value technical and educational programmes for the food industry.
Commenting on the recognition, Leo Winters, head of Cargill's cocoa operations in West Africa said: "For a plant that has been operating for just a year to become the first cocoa plant in Ghana to obtain AIB recognition really is a remarkable achievement.
"The score of 900 points out of a possible 1,000 is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff. It is proof of Cargill's commitment to produce food to the highest standards."
Using the latest technology the Tema plant has the capacity to transform around 65,000 tonnes of cocoa beans per year into high quality cocoa butter and powders for customers around the world. Cargill Ghana is proud to produce and export a range of cocoa powder under the 'good taste of Ghana' banner.
Unlike many other plants, powders produced at Tema need no further processing elsewhere and are ready to be used by the worldwide food industry. These 100 per cent African-made powders are offered as part of the Gerkens® range of cocoa powders, and have a unique, mild and rounded flavour.
The Tema plant also provides full-time employment for 200 staff and indirect employment for many more via its network of local suppliers. This supports Ghana's growing economy, providing new opportunities for Ghanaian cocoa farmers.
"Within a year the Tema plant has become a real asset to Cargill, complementing our global cocoa processing facilities and extending our range of cocoa powders. AIB recognition, which is widely regarded by food producers around the world, is the latest and very welcome stage in the development of this flagship plant for our operations in Ghana," concludes Winters.
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About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 159,000 people in 68 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit www.cargill.com
About Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate
Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate offers the food industry a wide range of both standard and customised cocoa and chocolate ingredients to be used in delicious bakery, confectionery, and dairy applications all over the world. Our product range includes high quality Gerkens® cocoa powders, chocolate, coatings, fillings, cocoa liquors and cocoa butters. With years of experience in technical food expertise Cargill supports its customers in new recipes and new product development.
Our processing plants in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Germany, Ghana, the Netherlands, UK and the USA are fully dedicated to produce in accordance with the highest food safety standards.
To secure a good quality and sustainable supply of cocoa beans we have our own cocoa bean sourcing operations for buying handling and/or exporting of cocoa beans in Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Indonesia and Vietnam. Presence in all the leading producing countries allows Cargill to oversee the supply chain from beans at origin to cocoa and chocolate products on our customers' doorstep. In addition, extensive market research and analysis proves to be a source of valuable information to our customers.
For more information visit: www.cargillcocoachocolate.com
About AIB International
AIB International is a corporation founded by the North American wholesale and retail baking industries in 1919 as a technology transfer centre for bakers and food processors.
AIB International is committed to protecting the safety of the food supply chain and delivering high value technical and educational programmes.
Through rigorous independent inspections, superior audits and training, and shared expertise, AIB empowers its clients to lower their business risk and strengthen their reputations.
