Broken chocolate: biomarkers as a method for delivering cocoa supply chain visibility

Purpose This paper examines the potential of “biomarkers” to provide immutable identification for food products (chocolate), providing traceability and visibility in supply chain from retail product back farm. Design/methodology/approach research uses qualitative data collection, including fieldwork at cocoa farms chocolate manufacturers Ecuador Netherlands semi-structured interviews with industry professionals identify challenges create a map plant retailer, validated by area experts. A library biomarkers is created using DNA collected International Cocoa Quarantine Centre, holders varieties known locations around world. Matching sample those enables origins used product, even when it comes multiple different sources has been processed. Findings Supply mapping areas that lack required management guarantee sustainability quality. decoupling point, where smaller farms/traders’ goods are combined larger economic units, obscures limits visibility. These factors underpin boundary condition institutional theory industry’s fatalism environmental human abuses face rising pressures. Biomarkers reliably origin, specific (fermentation) processing locations, facilitating control trust purchasing cocoa. Research limitations/implications The biomarker “meta-barcoding” beans manufacturing accurately identifies farm, production facility or cooperative, came from. controlled set registered audit link origin. Practical implications Where can be produced organic products, they offer method closing gaps, enabling responsible sourcing. Labels (QR codes, barcodes, etc.) swapped tampered with, but biological markers reduce reliance on physical tags, diminishing fraud. composition, pinpointing farm(s) origin chocolate, allowing targeted audits suppliers identifying if unknown present. Labour exist many chains upstream may help firms address these challenges. Social By describing scientifically track their farm level, shows organizations conduct social child labour proven chains. provides delivering (SCV) serious about tackling such problems. Originality/value one very first examples agricultural SCV. An in-depth study stakeholders elucidates problematic unique identifier. support efforts issues as labour, modern slavery deforestation into previously hidden chain.