ACA President Idrissa
Kilangi signs agreement with food processors on ACA Seal
|
The African Cashew Alliance (ACA) Quality and Sustainability
Seal is projected to bring great results for the African cashew industry,
especially the desire to increase the competitiveness of African cashew in the
world.
The ACA Seal, a trademark derived from the African Cashew
Alliance Business Code of Conduct, was launched on September 20, 2011 during
the 6th ACA Annual Conference which “brought the cashew world
together” in Banjul,
The Gambia.
The ACA Seal oblige cashew processors to pursue 14
procedures of international quality and food safety standards, and
social-responsibility requirements, which forbid child or prison labour,
discrimination, harassment, or abuse. It also exhorts for fair employee wages
and benefits and health and safety issues.
The ACA said the launch of the industry-accepted mark (ACA Seal)
is the first of its kind in the world and it is intended to ensure high quality
product, increase buyer confidence in African cashew and build customer
loyalty. However, it noted that it will validate processors’ compliance with
the provisions of ACA Seal and that it will only award the Seal through the
approval of procedures instead of “random product inspections.”
The strict conditions under the Seal are also meant to
address customer complaints or rejections, which may arise from cashew
infestation, foreign material, clumping or blocking, taste, food safety, and
grade compliance.
According to the ACA, the Seal is in conformity with the
United States Food Safety Modernisation Act and the basics for most
international certifications, allowing cashew processors access to new markets.
Cashew processing industry leaders have already committed
themselves to purchasing ACA Seal approved cashews. “Kraft is very keen to
increase cashew purchase from Africa that meet
the required standards,” said Chris Nubern, Director of Nut Procurement, Kraft
Foods. “Kraft is committed to purchasing high quality cashews and the ACA Seal
approval helps us reach this goal.”
Intersnack, another industry leader also said “Intersnack is
looking to source more quality shelled cashews, and believes that ACA Seal
approved cashews can help meet this demand”. Its Purchasing Director, Arie
Endendijk added that Intersnack is committed to purchasing ACA Seal approved
cashew.
Following a panel session on “A Vision for the African
Cashew Industry – the ACA Quality and Sustainability Seal”, cashew processor
industry leaders such as the Almond Board of California, Kraft Foods and Intersnack all signed an agreement with
the Africa Cashew Alliance to purchase the Seal.
ACA President Idrissa Kilangi of Tanzania |
In an interview with The Voice Newspaper, the ACA President, Mr Idrissa Kilangi said
the benefits offered by the ACA Seal are enormous.
“Almond Board of California and other companies are the big
blenders, they are the big consumers, and so doing trade with them is a boost
because they’ll have to inject money for the Seal,” he said. “They’ll also give
money to processors, especially the small processors and they will advertise.
Our Seal will be in the market so that is a big advantage.”
He noted that there is an initial payment for everyone using
the ACA Seal, which is meant to protect African production and African cashew
production. The Seal is also intended to serve as an income generating
initiative, currently; ACA depends on donations and contributions.
African cashew is sought after internationally because of
its sweet taste and quality, and Mr Kilangi believes this is as a result of the
nutrients contained in the African soil.
“Even in India, African cashew is used as spice, everybody
is now aware that African cashew is nice and taste better than cashews produced
in other regions,” said Mr Kilangi, who is also a Tanzanian-Cashew
Processor. “Big international processors
are likely to make more money if they are dealing in African cashew.”
- Author: Modou S. Joof for The Voice Newspaper
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