Barry Callebaut, the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate products, announced today it has purchased the majority of the first-ever shipment of cocoa beans from Ghana that fulfill the requirements of the UTZ CERTIFIED sustainability program.

UTZ CERTIFIED is an independently-verified assurance that cocoa has been produced in compliance with a defined set of economic, environmental and social criteria.

"This is an important step in our work to ensure a long-term supply of sustainably and responsibly grown cocoa that meets the demands of our customers and consumers," said Steven Retzlaff, President Global Sourcing & Cocoa at Barry Callebaut. "We appreciate the support of the Ghana Cocoa Board and the Cocoa Marketing Company, and applaud the dedicated efforts of the farmers affiliated with the Cocoa Abrabopa Association, the first cocoa producer group to become UTZ CERTIFIED in Ghana."