The International Cocoa Organization is spearheading a project to better understand cadmium levels in cocoa in Latin America and the Caribbean. This was made possible through financial contribution from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the EU.

Cadmium, a naturally occurring chemical element, can have adverse health effects when consumed in contaminated foodstuffs. It is naturally found in trace amounts in a lot of soil, which are taken up mostly by root in vegetables and fruits. The element is present across various food items, but is not considered dangerous for human health when consumed below certain limits.

The initiative will be implemented in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago for a total cost of USD 551,000, with a grant of USD 382,000 from the WTO’s Standard and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and EUR 60,000 in co-financing from the EU. Participating countries will provide the remainder of the financing requirements as their counterpart contribution.

Michel Arrion, Executive Director of the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), says: “This milestone project brings together national and international institutions, academic bodies, cocoa producers and other key stakeholders to provide substantive contributions in knowledge and expertise, innovative methodologies and effective communication platforms to share and reinforce best practices to mitigate cadmium contamination in cocoa beans for the ultimate benefit of all stakeholders.”