Confectioners, bakers and pastry chefs now have one more option for sourcing Fairtrade chocolates.

Callebaut Finest Belgian Chocolate has launched Fairtrade certified versions of its chocolate.

Specifically, the company will offer Fairtrade versions of it’s 811NV (55.3% Cacao Dark), 823NV (35.1% Milk) and 70-30-38NV (70% Cacao Dark) references. It will be available as callets in 10 kg bags.

The company says the new Fairtrade options require no recipe adjustments, and have the same taste, flavor and workability as their standard counter parts.

“The rising future demand for cocoa and chocolate means we are constantly looking for better, more sustainable ways to grow cocoa and to ensure that chocolate is available for future generations to enjoy,” says Mike Schrauth, senior director of sales and marketing, gourmet, Barry Callebaut. “The launch of Callebaut’s new Fairtrade chocolate products is an important step.”

Callebaut’s Fairtrade chocolate consists of raw ingredients available to be certified Fairtrade, including all cocoa ingredients, sugar and natural vanilla.

Callebaut purchases the Fairtrade cocoa beans from cooperatives in the Ivory Coast and in Ghana. The Fairtrade sugar originates from cooperatives in Malawi, Belize and Mauritius, while the Fairtrade natural vanilla comes from cooperatives in Madagascar, the company says.

The FAIRTRADE Certification Mark ensures that the product meets certain economic, social and environmental standards. The Mark is the most widely recognized social and development label in the world, and a registered trademark of Fairtrade International (FLO). According to FLO, sales of Fairtrade certified products have been growing on average of 40% per year over the past five years.

For confectioners, bakers and pastry chefs, there is no additional administrative cost or work with FLO if they purchase the new Callebaut Fairtrade certified chocolate products. They just have to register with FLO at www.fairtrade.net, which allows interested consumers to search for users or purchasers of the Fairtrade chocolate in their geographic area.

For more information, visit www.callebaut.com.