ITALY 18-26 October 2008 15th Eurochocolate extravaganza dedicated to play. Fair trade issue intrudes

The most important chocolate show in Europe will bring some 1 million people this year to Perugia in Italy's Umbria region to explore the recreational aspects of "the food of the gods." The official theme is “Eurochocolate, Play Chocolate.” The Equochocolate exhibition introduces visitors to the child labor issue in the supply chain, a serious note at an event dedicated to play.

Chocolate is made from the beans of the tropical cacao tree, named Theobroma Cacao, or "food of the gods," by Carl Linneaus, the 18th-century Swedish botanist. The results of a recent survey in Britain suggests few would argue with the description. It found more than 70 per cent of people would reveal their computer password in exchange for a bar of chocolate. The survey on passwords was carried out for the Infosecurity Europe trade show due to take place at Olympia in London from 27-29 Apr.

Eurochololate visitors will have the opportunity to play with chocolate toys and chocolate music instruments, perform in “chocolate theatre” and really savor the flavors of chocolate. The sign for the show, designed by Alessandra Baldereschi, shows a paper airplane, and there will be a chocolate version of the sign available.

At the “Equochocolate” exhibit, there will be chocolate and chocolate objects from poorer areas of the world. Seven years after the media revealed child labor in the West African cocoa supply chain and almost as many years of little action under the voluntary Harkin-Engel Protocol, the global chocolate industry is finally making strides toward addressing child labor. Verité, a nonprofit organization specializing in supply chain auditing, drafted a Road Map for the creation of the International Cocoa Verification Board (ICVB). Meanwhile, the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) is one of more than 60 advocacy organizations and Fair Trade chocolate companies have endorsed an alternative solution, the Commitment to Ethical Cocoa Sourcing.

Chocoday, on Oct 12, will be dedicated to promoting “pure chocolate” -- chocolate without added fat and vegetable oils -- and supporting ethical policies in the pure product. Apr/08

STORY SUPPLIED BY NEWSAHEAD CORRESPONDENT VALENTINA DELLO RUSSO, WHO IS AVAILABLE FOR FREELANCE ASSIGNMENT IN EUROPE. EMAIL: vdellorusso@email.it

RELATED READING:

Eurochocolate web
http:// www.eurochocolate.com

Chocoday web:
http:// www.chocoday.com

Fair Trade websites:
Italy: http://www.commercioalternativo.it
United Kingdom: http://www.fairtrade.org.uk