Callebaut's Belgian chocolate now Fairtrade certified

The gourmet brand Callebaut has announced the launch of its new Fairtrade range of chocolate products.

Callebaut's four classic recipes - 811 (dark), 823 (milk), W2 (white) and 70-30-38 (dark) - will be available from January 2011 in conventional and Fairtrade certified formulations, called Callebaut Fairtrade.

As part of its Fairtrade marketing program, Callebaut will provide customers with promotional Point-of-Sale (POS) materials, including posters, doorstickers and brochures, so they can communicate their commitment to work with Fairtrade certified chocolate.

The materials will be available on the Callebaut website in January 2011.

The Fairtrade products will be sold in allcountries through Callebaut's traditional Gourmet sales channels.

Today, more than five million people - farmers, workers and their families - across 60 developing countries participate in the international Fairtrade system, including cocoa, sugar and natural vanilla producers.

Fairtrade strives for improved terms of trade and fair prices for farmers and workers in the global south that help them combat poverty, strengthen their position in the agricultural sector and take more control over their lives.

In order to attain the Fairtrade system certification, farmer organizations must comply with the economic, environmental and social standards defined by Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO).

FLO is a non-profit, multi-stakeholder organization made up of 24 member organizations worldwide. It is responsible for the strategic direction of Fairtrade, setting the Fairtrade standards and supporting producers in developing countries.