Lindt Tackles Coconut Oil Sustainability

Despite coconut oil being just a minor ingredient in some of Lindt &Sprüngli’s products, a raw material risk assessment highlighting sustainability challenges has prompted the chocolate maker to act, according to a FoodNavigator-USA.com report on January 05. Asked recently whether Lindt &Sprüngli consumers are inquisitive about coconut oil’s sustainability credentials, the company’s Head of Sustainability, Leonie Brühlmann responded in the negative.  
Another reason is that coconut oil is not key ingredient in chocolate: the Swiss chocolatier uses it in some of its chocolate and praline fillings, but not in its tablets.  So why is Lindt throwing the spotlight on coconut oil? According to Brühlmann, who is also Managing Director of the Lindt Cocoa Foundation, a raw material risk assessment undertaken by the company revealed various sustainability challenges and issues associated with the ingredient.
Global demand for coconut oil is on the rise.  According to Allied Market Research, in 2019 the global industry was worth $13 billion.  It is predicted that by 2024, this figure could increase to $31 billion.  Such rapid growth in demand can be explained by the ingredient’s popularity amongst health-conscious consumers, according to Member Manager at Earthworm Foundation Mathilde Xicola.  And this has been boosted by consumer goods companies marketing coconuts as a ‘healthy option’, she told delegates during the webinar organized by NGO Earthworm Foundation.  Further, there is a ‘global perception’ that coconut oil is more sustainable than other vegetable oils, including palm oil, Xicola continued.