Wednesday February 17, 2010

Mars, Callebaut To Standardize Flavanol Content

Zurich — Mars, Inc. and Barry Callebaut AG have signed a cross-licensing and cooperation agreement to increase the availability and uniformity of flavanol-rich chocolate products worldwide, according to a joint statement.

The two companies say they are working to develop a commonly used standard for measuring cocoa flavanols, while broadening their acceptance and availability of these products.

Callebaut says it began licensing Mars patents in February and will display the Mars Cocoapro “bean in hand” logo on packs of its Acticoa products in the U.S. and other markets.

According to a Mars spokesperson, packaging of Dove Dark and CirkuHealth, two U.S. Mars products, already feature the Cocoapro logo.