The 21th ASEAN Cocoa Club (ACC) Meeting

25-26th April 2018

Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

REPORT OF THE ASEAN COCOA CLUB TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON

FOOD SAFETY (ACC TWGFS)

1. The 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety
(ACC TWGFS) was held on 24th April 2018 in Hotel Continental Saigon, Ho Chi Minh
City, Viet Nam.

2. The Meeting was officially opened by Dr. Nyuyen Viet Khoa, Head of Training Education
Division, National Agriculture Extension Center, Viet Nam.

3. The Meeting was chaired by Dr. Sabariah Samsudin, Director of the Cocoa Downstream
Technology Division, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Malaysia and co-chaired by
Mr. Thiet Nguyen Van, Country Manager of UTZ Certificate, Viet Nam.

4. The Meeting was attended by 13 members and observers from Indonesia, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines, Viet Nam, and the Secretariat of the ACC and ACC TWGFS.

5. Indonesia reported on the completion of the Cocoa Safe Project that involved International
Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International (CABI),
Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea on capacity building and knowledge sharing in
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) for cocoa in Southeast Asia.

6. Malaysia reported on the development of analysis protocol on safety and quality for cocoa
based products as follow:

i. Analysis of heavy metal in cocoa beans and cocoa products using inductively coupled
plasma-tandem mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS/MS) microwave assisted digestion technique

ii. Analysis of new protocol for Total Plate Count, E. Coli and Yeast and Mold

7. Viet Nam reported on the UTZ certification for Cocoa in Viet Nam.

8. Indonesia informed the Meeting that European Union (EU) has published Commission
Regulation (EU) No. 488/2014 on 12th May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006
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 pertaining to the maximum levels (MLs) of cadmium in foodstuffs including cocoa and
chocolate products which will be taken effectively on 1st January 2019 as follow:

i. Milk chocolate with < 30 % total dry cocoa solids: 0.10 mg/kg wet weight

ii. Chocolate with < 50 % total dry cocoa solids; milk chocolate with ≥ 30 % total dry cocoa
solids: 0.30 mg/kg wet weight

iii. Chocolate with ≥ 50 % total dry cocoa solids: 0.80 mg/kg wet weight

iv. Cocoa powder sold to the final consumer or as an ingredient unsweetened cocoa powder
sold to the final consumer (drinking chocolate): 0.60 mg/kg wet weight

9. Indonesia also informed the Meeting on the progress of the proposed draft MLs for
cadmium in chocolate and cocoa-derived products in the 12th Codex Committee on
Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) which was held in Utrecht, the Netherlands from 12-16
March 2018. The CCCF agreed to advance the ML of 0.8 mg/kg for chocolate containing or
declaring ≥ 50% to < 70% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis, and the ML of 0.9 mg/kg
for chocolate containing or declaring ≥ 70% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis for final
adoption at Step 5/8 by the 41st Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

10. Indonesia reported on the monitoring of cadmium content in cocoa bean, cocoa nibs, cocoa
powder and cocoa mass from different locations of Indonesia as follow: cocoa bean (0.25-
1.11 ppm); cocoa nibs (0.19 - 0.39 ppm); cocoa powder (0.38 - 0.78 ppm); and cocoa mass
(0.45-0.47 ppm).

11. Malaysia reported on the monitoring of cadmium in cocoa beans and cocoa products from
different regions of Malaysia. The range of ML for cadmium as follow: cocoa beans (0.06-
0.27 ppm), cocoa powder (0.46-0.51 ppm), cocoa liquor (0.15-0.16 ppm), dark chocolate
(0.05-0.14 ppm) and milk chocolate (0.01-0.03 ppm).

12. Malaysia noted the interest of Thailand and Philippines for the collaboration of building
expertise and knowledge on sensory evaluation. Malaysia, as the lead country for this
agenda had proposed to conduct a sensory evaluation training in Malaysia in year 2018 and
the details of the training will be uploaded into the ACC TWGFS website.

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13. The Chairperson informed Indonesia needed to work out the ASEAN standard for cocoa and
cocoa products. Establishment ASEAN standards is one of the activities stipulated in
Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) for the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint
Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme (2016-2020). Indonesia
will discuss this matter in their national level.

14. Malaysia informed the Meeting that Ministry of Health, Malaysia is in the process of
amending food regulations pertaining to cocoa and cocoa products (Regulation 274 – 281)
under the Food Act 1983 (Act 281) and Food Regulations 1985.

15. The Secretariat of the ASEAN Cocoa Club informed the Meeting that the Strategic Plan of
Action (SPA) for the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in
Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme (2016-2020) was endorsed by the 24th
Meeting of the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products
Promotion Scheme which was held on 18-20 July 2017 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

16. The Secretariat of the ACCTWGFS sought the cooperation from the AMS to update the
membership of this working group.

17. The full report of the 10th ACC TWGFS Meeting appears as Annex 1.

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 Annex 1

REPORT OF THE 10TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN COCOA CLUB

TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON FOOD SAFETY (ACC TWGFS)

24TH APRIL 2018

HOTEL CONTINENTAL SAIGON, HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM

INTRODUCTION

1. The 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety
(ACC TWGFS) was held on 24th April 2018 in Hotel Continental Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City,
Viet Nam.

2. The Meeting was officially opened by Dr. Nyuyen Viet Khoa, Head of Training Education
Division, National Agriculture Extension Center, Viet Nam. He welcomed all the delegates
from the ASEAN Member States (AMS) to Viet Nam. The full text of his speech appears as
ANNEX I.

3. The Meeting was chaired by Dr. Sabariah Samsudin, Director of the Cocoa Downstream
Technology Division, Malaysian Cocoa Board, Malaysia and co-chaired by
Mr. Thiet Nguyen Van, Country Manager of UTZ Certificate, Viet Nam.

4. The Meeting was attended by 13 members and observers from Indonesia, Malaysia,
Myanmar, Philippines, Viet Nam, and the Secretariat of the ACC and ACC TWGFS. The
list of delegates appears as ANNEX II.

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AGENDA ITEM 1: WELCOMING REMARKS

5. The Chairperson of the ACC TWGFS, Dr. Sabariah Samsudin, Director of Cocoa
Downstream Technology Division, Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) delivered her
welcoming remarks for the 10th Meeting of the ACC TWGFS. The full text of her speech
appears as ANNEX III.

AGENDA ITEM 2: ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

6. Mr. Thiet Nguyen Van, Country Manager of UTZ Certificate, Viet Nam was unanimously
elected as the Vice-Chairman of the 10th Meeting of the ACC TWGFS.

AGENDA ITEM 3: ADOPTION OF AGENDA

7. The Meeting adopted the Agenda for the 10th Meeting of the ACC TWGFS appears as
ANNEX IV.

AGENDA ITEM 4: BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT

8. The Meeting was held in plenary.

AGENDA ITEM 5: REPORT ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE COUNTRY’S

INITIATIVES RELATIVE TO FOOD SAFETY ON COCOA AND
COCOA PRODUCTS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES

9. Indonesia reported on the completion of the Cocoa Safe Project that involved The
International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience
International (CABI), Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea on capacity building and
knowledge sharing in Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) for cocoa in Southeast Asia.

10. Malaysia reported on the development of analysis protocol on safety and quality for cocoa
based products as follow:
i. Analysis of heavy metal in cocoa beans and cocoa products using inductively coupled
plasma-tandem mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS/MS) microwave assisted digestion technique

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 ii. Analysis of new protocol for Total Plate Count, E. Coli and Yeast and Mold

11. Viet Nam reported on the UTZ certification for Cocoa in Viet Nam. The full presentation
appears as ANNEX V.

AGENDA ITEM 6: STATUS REPORT ON THE FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

IMPOSED BY IMPORTING COUNTRIES

12. Indonesia informed the Meeting that European Union (EU) has published Commission
Regulation (EU) No. 488/2014 on 12th May 2014 amending Regulation (EC) No.1881/2006
pertaining to the maximum levels (MLs) of cadmium in foodstuffs including cocoa and
chocolate products which will be taken effectively on 1st January 2019 as follow:
i. Milk chocolate with < 30 % total dry cocoa solids: 0.10 mg/kg wet weight
ii. Chocolate with < 50 % total dry cocoa solids; milk chocolate with ≥ 30 % total dry cocoa
solids: 0.30 mg/kg wet weight
iii. Chocolate with ≥ 50 % total dry cocoa solids: 0.80 mg/kg wet weight
iv. Cocoa powder sold to the final consumer or as an ingredient unsweetened cocoa powder
sold to the final consumer (drinking chocolate): 0.60 mg/kg wet weight

13. Indonesia also informed the Meeting on the progress of the proposed draft MLs for
cadmium in chocolate and cocoa-derived products in the 12th Codex Committee on
Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) which was held in Utrecht, the Netherlands from 12-16
March 2018. The CCCF agreed:

i. to advance the ML of 0.8 mg/kg for chocolate containing or declaring ≥ 50% to < 70%
total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis for final adoption at Step 5/8 by the 41 st Session
of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC41);
ii. to advance the ML of 0.9 mg/kg for chocolate containing or declaring ≥ 70% total cocoa
solids on a dry matter basis for final adoption at Step 5/8 by CAC41;
iii. to continue work on the category of chocolate and chocolate products containing or
declaring < 30%, and ≥ 30% to < 50% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis and to
assess if it is feasible to merge these two categories to derive one ML for chocolate
containing or declaring < 50% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis;
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 iv. to discontinue work on dry mixtures of cocoa and sugars sold for final consumption
v. to continue work on cocoa powder (100% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis) taking
into consideration MLs established for other product categories. 


AGENDA 7: REPORT ON THE ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE RELATED TO FOOD

SAFETY

14. Indonesia reported on the monitoring of cadmium content in cocoa bean, cocoa nibs, cocoa
powder and cocoa mass from different locations of Indonesia as follow: cocoa bean (0.25-
1.11 ppm); cocoa nibs (0.19 - 0.39 ppm); cocoa powder (0.38 - 0.78 ppm); and cocoa mass
(0.45-0.47 ppm).

15. Malaysia reported on the monitoring of cadmium in cocoa beans and cocoa products from
different regions of Malaysia. The range of ML for cadmium as follow: cocoa beans (0.06-
0.27 ppm), cocoa powder (0.46-0.51 ppm), cocoa liquor (0.15-0.16 ppm), dark chocolate
(0.05-0.14 ppm) and milk chocolate (0.01-0.03 ppm).

AGENDA 8: ASEAN MEMBER STATES (AMS) COLLABORATION ON

EXPERTISE, KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES (LABORATORY
TESTING EQUIPMENT/ FACILITIES, ETC.)

16. In the absence of delegate from Thailand, there was no update on the request for the sensory
evaluation training on cocoa and cocoa products from Malaysia and Indonesia.

17. Malaysia noted the interest of Thailand and Philippines for the collaboration of building
expertise and knowledge on sensory evaluation. Malaysia, as the lead country for this
agenda had proposed to conduct a sensory evaluation training in Malaysia in year 2018 and
the details of the training will be uploaded into the ACC TWGFS website. The full
presentation appears as ANNEX VI.

AGENDA 9: ESTABLISHMENT OF ASEAN STANDARDS RELATED TO COCOA

AND COCOA PRODUCTS

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18. The Chairperson informed Indonesia needed to work out the ASEAN standard for cocoa and
cocoa products. Establishment ASEAN standards is one of the activities stipulated in
Strategic Plan of Action (SPA) for the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint
Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme (2016-2020). Indonesia
will discuss this matter in their national level.

AGENDA 10: PRESENTATION ON FOOD SAFETY STANDARD AND

REGULATIONRELATED TO COCOA AND COCOA PRODUCTS

19. Malaysia informed the Meeting that Ministry of Health, Malaysia is in the process of

amending food regulations pertaining to cocoa and cocoa products (Regulation 274 – 281)

under the Food Act 1983 (Act 281) and Food Regulations 1985. The full presentation
appears as ANNEX VII.

AGENDA 11: INFORMATION SHARING OF MUTUAL RECOGNITION

AGREEMENT (MRA) PERTAINING TO COCOA AND COCOA
PRODUCTS IN ASEAN CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON
STANDARDS AND QUALITY PREPARED FOODSTUFF PRODUCT
WORKING GROUP (ACCSQ PFPWG)

20. In the absence of delegate from Thailand, there was no update for this agenda.

AGENDA 12: OTHER MATTERS

21. The Secretariat of the ASEAN Cocoa Club informed the Meeting that the Strategic Plan of
Action (SPA) for the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in
Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme (2016-2020) was endorsed by the 24th
Meeting of the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products
Promotion Scheme which was held on 18-20 July 2017 in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

22. The Secretariat of the ACCTWGFS sought the cooperation from the AMS to update the
membership of this working group.

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AGENDA 13: ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

23. The Meeting unanimously adopted the Report of the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa
Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety (ACC TWGFS) held on 24th April 2018 in
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

24. The Chairperson of the ACC TWGFS expressed her gratitude and thanks to all delegates for
their active participation in the Meeting.

25. The delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Philippines expressed their sincere
appreciation to the government of Viet Nam for the excellent arrangements made for the
Meeting and the warm hospitality accorded to them.

26. The Meeting was held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN cordiality and solidarity.

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 ANNEX I

OPENING REMARKS
(Joint Opening Ceremony)

The 7th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Good
Agriculture Practices (ACC TWGGAP)
The 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety
(ACC TWGFS)

Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Very Good Morning.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere thanks and welcome to The 7th Meeting of the
ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Good Agriculture Practices (ACC
TWGGAP) and The 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Food
Safety (ACC TWGFS), organize in Ho Chi Minh City, a biggest and active city of Vietnam.

Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you are aware of current situation of Cocoa industry in the world, thereby, cocoa industry is
facing a lot of difficulties, the cocoa price is still low when labor cost, and input production cost
are getting up, the world cocoa production and cocoa quality are still low, in countries such as
Vietnam and the other countries in the region, cocoa is competing with other “King crop” like
coffee, black pepper, for those reasons it make cocoa farmers are not interested in investment in
cocoa production. The two technical meetings mentioned above like two sub- working groups
under ACC platform, to raise ideas from ASEA member countries and discuss it as well as
propose solutions to deal with issues concerning food safety and GAP for cocoa contributing to
improving cocoa quality, which satisfied by customers.

Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

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We understand that food safety is a tool to control production process make sure cocoa and
cocoa products safe and Good Agricultural Practices is also a good tool for us especially for
cocoa farmers to get a good quality of cocoa bean, that is why we all agreed to form two said
technical working groups and have its annual meetings with participation of technical staffs from
ASEAN member countries.

Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

To conclude my speech, I would want to recommend you to deep discuss to finalize final draft
on ASEAN GAP for Cocoa and other pending issues in previous meetings and hopefully, the
meetings will come up with good conclusion.

Finally, wish you good health and enjoy your time in Ho Chi Minh City, a city of peace and
hospitality.

Thank you.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Khoa

Head of Training and Education Division
Head of International Corporation Division
Viet Nam Coffee Cocoa Association (VCC)
Viet Nam

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 ANNEX II

THE 10TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN COCOA CLUB

TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON FOOD SAFETY (ACC TWGFS)

24TH APRIL 2018

HOTEL CONTINENTAL SAIGON, HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM

LIST OF DELEGATES

INDONESIA
1. Vioni Monica (Ms.)
Trade Facilitator
Directorate of Export for Agriculture and Forestry Products
Ministry of Trade
Jl. M.I. Ridwan Rais No.5, Building II, 1st Floor
Jakarta Pusat 10110, Indonesia
Phone/Fax: +62 21 344 0787
H/P No. : +62 817 605 6399
E-Mail: vioni.monica@yahoo.com
2. Tan Ester Liana (Mrs.)
Staff
Indonesian Cacao and Chocolate Industry Association
Jl. Danau Sunter Selatan
Komplek Perkantoran Royal Sunter Blok F/10
Jakarta, Indonesia
Tel./Fax No.: +62 216520384
E-Mail : apikci@gmail.com

MALAYSIA
3. (Ms.)
Director
Market Development and Economy
Malaysian Cocoa Board
5th, 6th & 7th Floor, Wisma SEDCO
Locked Bag 211
88899 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia
Tel. No.: +6088 234477
Fax No.: +6088 239575
E-Mail: harnie@koko.gov.my

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 4. Sabariah Samsudin (Dr.)
(Chairperson TWGFS)
Director
Cocoa Downstream Technology Division
Malaysian Cocoa Board
Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre
Lot Pt 12621, Nilai Industrial Park
71800 Nilai
Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Tel. No.: +606 7999001
Fax No.: +606 7942910
E-Mail: sabariah@koko.gov.my

MYANMAR
5. Bo Taik (Mr.)
Staff Officer
Department of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
Office No. 43, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
H/P No.: +959 425324900
E-Mail: Botaik007@gmail.com

PHILIPPINES
6. Shearyl U. Arenas (Ms.)
Technopreneurship Coordinator/ECE Program Chair
Technological Institute of The Philippines
938 Aurora Blvd., Cubao, Quezon City
Tel. No.: +632 9110964 ext. 334
: +639177952180
E-Mail: shearyl.arenas@tip.edu.ph

VIET NAM
7. Bach Thanh Tuan (Mr.)
Director
Community Development Center
32 Tan Da Street, Buon MaThuot City
DakLak Pro, Viet Nam
Tel. No.: +84 500 3973388
Fax No.: +84 500 3963388
E-Mail: bachtuan@cdc.org.vn;
cdc@cdc.org.vn
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 8. Day Ngo Van (Mr.)
National Agricultural Extension Center
135, Pasteur Road, District 3
Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
H/P. No.: +0984083912
E-Mail: nvdaygn@yahoo.com.vn
9. Huynh Phuong (Ms.)
Cacao Trong Duc Co. Ltd.
12, Residential 16, Phu Hua Village
Dinh Quan, Dory Nai, Viet Nam
Tel. No.: +02 51629168
E-Mail: cacaotrongduc.kinhdranh@gmail.com
10. Ngai Pham Dinh (Mr.)
Vice President
Kimmy’s Chocolate
265A, Group 12, Hamlet 2, Long Dinh Chau
Tien Giang, Viet Nam
Tel. No.: +84 974038946
E-Mail: ngai.pham@kimmychocolatier.com
11. Tung Le Thanh (Mr.)
Department of Crop Production
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)
12, Phung Khac Khoan Street, Dakao Ward, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel. No.: +84 908537093
Fax No.: +84 838293280
E-Mail: tungclt@gmail.com
12. Thiet Nguyen Van (Mr.)
Country Manager
UTZ Certificate
Room nr. 8-4th Floor, Bock A, Hoang Anh Gia Lai
40 Hung Vuong Street, Buon Ma Thuot City
Daklak, Viet Nam
Tel. No.: +84 914038538
E-Mail: thiet.nguyen@utz.org

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 ACC TWGFS MEETING SECRETARIAT
13. Chin Hui Han (Ms.)
Research Officer
Cocoa Downstream Technology Division
Malaysian Cocoa Board
Cocoa Innovation and Technology Centre
Lot Pt 12621, Nilai Industrial Park
71800 Nilai
Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Tel. No.: +606 7999001
Fax No.: +606 7942910
E-Mail: hhchin@koko.gov.my

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 ANNEX III

WELCOMING REMARKS

The 10th Meeting of The ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety
(ACC TWGFS)

24th April 2018

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Distinguished Guests and Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. It gives me great pleasure to welcome all the distinguished delegates from the
ASEAN Member States to the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working
Group on Food Safety and thank you to all of you for making effort to join this meeting.

First of all, I wish to express my gratitude and thanks to the Government of Viet Nam especially
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam for
hosting this meeting and their tremendous hospitality. Moreover, I would like to thank and
congratulate the secretariats of the organising committee from Viet Nam for their hard work and
effort in making this meeting possible.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Food safety requirements such as technical regulations and standards are of utmost important to
protect human health and safety, life and health of animals and plants, environment, or
safeguarding consumers from deceptive practices. Nevertheless, having too many different food
technical regulations and standards can become obstacles to trade for agricultural commodities
including cocoa and cocoa products. Hence, harmonization of food standards and regulations for
the ASEAN regional is important for achieving the goal of making ASEAN as a single market
and production base.

Up to date, there are twelve harmonized ASEAN standards and technical requirements for
prepared foodstuff and cocoa:
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i. ASEAN General Standards for the Labelling Prepackaged Food
ii. ASEAN Maximum Level for Food Additives for Prepared Foodstuff Products
iii. ASEAN Principles and Criteria for The Establishment of Maximum Level for Contaminants
and Toxins in Food and Feed
iv. ASEAN Food Safety Policy
v. ASEAN Principles and Guidelines for National Food Control Systems
vi. ASEAN General Principles of Food Hygiene
vii. ASEAN Guidelines for the Design, Operation, Assessment and Accreditation of Food
Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems
viii. ASEAN Guidelines for Food Import Control Systems
ix. Guidelines for ASEAN Food Reference Laboratories
x. ASEAN Principles for Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification
xi. ASEAN Standard For Cocoa Bean
xii. ASEAN Code of Practice (CoP) for the Prevention and Reduction of Ochratoxin A (OTA)
Contamination in Cocoa Beans

Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Working Group has two milestones to accomplish by year 2020 under The Strategic Plan of
Action (SPA) for The Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in
Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme (2016-2020). The outlined activities are
establishment of ASEAN Standard related to cocoa and cocoa products; and ASEAN Member
States collaboration on expertise, knowledge and resources such as laboratory testing equipment
or facilities. Therefore, I would like to seek full commitment from all the ASEAN Member
States to achieve the aforementioned milestones.

Thank you.

DR. SABARIAH SAMSUDIN

CHAIRPERSON
THE 10TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN COCOA CLUB TECHNICAL WORKING
GROUP ON FOOD SAFETY (ACC TWGFS)

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 ANNEX IV

THE 10TH MEETING OF THE ASEAN COCOA CLUB

TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP ON FOOD SAFETY (ACC TWGFS)
24TH APRIL 2018
HO CHI MINH CITY, VIET NAM

ADOPTED AGENDA

1. Welcoming Remarks
The Chairman of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety will
deliver the opening remarks.

2. Election of Vice-Chairman
The Meeting will elect the Vice-Chairman for the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club
Technical Working Group on Food Safety.

3. Adoption of Agenda
The Meeting will adopt the agenda of the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa Club Technical
Working Group on Food Safety.

4. Business Arrangements
The Meeting will be held in plenary. The Secretariat of the ACC TWGFS will brief the
delegates on the programmes and activities of the 10th Meeting of the ACC TWGFS.

5. R po t o th C t St t s of th Co t y’s I t t v s R l t d to Food S f ty o
Cocoa and Cocoa Products and Related Activities
The ASEAN Member States may wish to inform the current status of their country’s
initiatives related to food safety on cocoa and cocoa products.

6. Status Report on the Food Safety Requirements Imposed by Importing Countries

a. Proposal on the Establishment of the Maximum Levels for Cadmium in Cocoa and
Chocolate Products by European Union (EU)

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 Indonesia as the lead country may wish to update on the progress of the proposal on the
establishment of the maximum levels for cadmium in cocoa and chocolate products by
European Union (EU).

b. Other Current Food Safety Requirements for Cocoa and Chocolate Products
Imposed by Importing Countries
Indonesia as the lead country may wish to update other current food safety requirements
for cocoa and chocolate products imposed by importing countries.

7. Report on the Issues of Importance Related to Food Safety

a. Progress on the Monitoring of Cadmium in Cocoa and Chocolate Products in
ASEAN Member States
The ASEAN Member States may wish to report the progress on the monitoring of
cadmium in cocoa and chocolate products in their country.

b. Other Issues of Importance Related to Food Safety

The ASEAN Member States may wish to report other issues of importance related to food
safety.

8. ASEAN Member States (AMS) Collaboration on Expertise, Knowledge and Resources

(Laboratory Testing Equipment/ Facilities, etc.) (Lead Country: Malaysia)
The ASEAN Member States may wish to discuss on the collaboration on expertise,
knowledge and resources among the AMS for year 2018-2020.

9. Establishment of ASEAN Standards Related to Cocoa and Cocoa Products (Lead

Country: Indonesia)
The ASEAN Member States may wish to discuss on ASEAN standards to work on and
develop for year 2018-2020.

10. Presentation on Food Safety Standard and Regulation Related to Cocoa and Cocoa
Products
The ASEAN Member States may wish to inform the food safety standard and regulation
related to cocoa and cocoa products in their country.

11. Information Sharing of Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) Pertaining to Cocoa

and Cocoa Products in ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality
Prepared Foodstuff Product Working Group (ACCSQ PFPWG)
Thailand as the lead country may wish to share the information of Mutual Recognition
Agreement (MRA) Pertaining to Cocoa and Cocoa Products in ASEAN Consultative
Committee on Standards and Quality Prepared Foodstuff Product Working Group (ACCSQ
PFPWG).

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12. Other Matters
The ASEAN Member States may wish to discuss other matters in relations to food safety on
cocoa and cocoa products.

13. Adoption of the Report

The Meeting may consider and adopt the report of the 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa
Club Technical Working Group on Food Safety.

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 ANNEX V

UTZ Certification for Cocoa in

Vietnam
Updates March 2018
Present to ACC conference in Ho Chi Minh city on April 24 th 2018

Thiet Nguyen Van, UTZ

VIETNAM COCOA IN GENERAL Ha Giang

Lai Chau

Area (ha) Yen bai

Son La

30000
Thanh Hoa
25000
Nghe An
20000

15000
Quang Binh
10000
Quang Tri
Thua Thien - Hue
5000
Production (MT)
0 8000
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Kon Tum
7000 Binh Dinh
Gia Lai
6000
Phu Yen
5000 Dak Lak
Khanh Hoa
Dak Nong
4000 Binh Phuoc Lam Dong
Source: Ten years evaluation on Cocoa development by MARD 3000 Binh Duong
Binh Thuan
2000 Cocoa
Ba Ria - Vung Tau
1000 producing areas
0
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 21 of 29
 UTZ, Mission & Vision
Our mission is to create a world where sustainable farming is norm:

1. farmers implement good agricultural practices and manage their

farms profitably with respect for people and planet.

2. industry invests in and reward sustainable production.

3. Consumers can enjoy and trust the products they buy.

CERTIFICATION PROCEDURE

Capacity building Capacity building

for member for CB

Code of conduct Chain of custody

• Management
• GAP
• Social Traceability
• Environment

External audit
Training farmers

farmers Trader Exp./imp. Processor Retailer

Traceability system following

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 22 of 29
 GLOBLE COCOA CERTIFIED
GOOD TO KNOW THE
NUMBERS
465.000 farmers
19 producing
countries
35 million chocolate
bars with 100 g
(35 million tons/8 years,
AVG=437.500 tons/year)

Enjoyed in
135 countries

The use of chocolates is made from certified of cocoa beans as an habit of user

VIET NAM COCOA CERTIFIED

3500

3000

2500

2000

1500

1000

500

0
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

SL chứngVolume
nhận (T)
(MT)
Diện tích
Area (ha)
(ha) Nông dân tham gia
Farmer

Certified program for cocoa in Vietnam has gone down since 2015

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 23 of 29
 VALUES OF CERTIFICATION
Certification helped coffee farmers information, technical cultivation, farm management
better. CHs have good management, access to market better…These are the key of business
successful and profitability increasing

ECONOMIC ENVIROMENT
1. Balance inputs cost 7. No use banned crop protection
2. standardization and metrology equipment 8. Waste treatment better
3. Traceability 9. Forest protection
4. Quality & food safety improved 10. Water resources protection
5. Productivity increasing 11. Soil fertility protection
6. Good price and premium

SOCIAL
12. Good working conditional
13. More training and checking
14. Knowledge of farmers have improved

VALUES OF CERTIFICATION: TRACEABILITY

er
uy
de e f y
tb
co th nt b

CO
irs

NF
TZ d by me

IR
> U rme nce

ME
nf nou

D
ed
/co n

&
ed
er e a

rm

“T
i

rm
uc al

RA
nfi
od S

nfi

Confirmed
Co

CE
Co

R”
S
pr

Producer Trader Processor Retailer

Export/Import

Manage traceability online during

transaction of members in supply
IMS (purchase) chain actor by GIP

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 24 of 29
 VALUES OF CERTIFICATION: PRODUCTIVITY- QUALITY- FOOD SAFETY

- Develop training materials, program guidance,

Quality & - Raising awareness by training support,
productivity - Risk analysis and action plan,
improvement - Yearly self assessment and independence audit

Food safety &

- Control points in code of conduct
hygiene is (www.utz.org/ source library/certification documents)
controlled - Guidance of ISO 22000
(https://www.slideshare.net/odouroflove/tcvn-iso-22000)

ISSUES 1: Crop competition > low attractiveness

Five King of Crops in Vietnam

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 25 of 29
 ISSUES 2: Local Market Competition
ISSUES 3: Climate change
Temperature Precipitation
Drough Storm,
increase / Flood
t Tornad
o

Water scarcity-groundwater depletion, land slides and erosion, under-growth crops,

pests and diseases increase, high input costs, low yield and quality, low farmer incomes.

ISSUES 4: THINKING OF FARMERS ABOUT CERTIFICATION

One showed value and 14 hidden values

Price & Premium

1. Balance inputs cost 7. No use banned crop protection

2. Standardization and metrology equipment 8. Waste treatment better
3. Traceability 9. Forest protection
4. Quality improved/food safety 10. Water resources protection
5. Productivity increasing 11. Soil fertility protection
6. Good price and premium
12. Good working conditional
13. More training and checking
14. Knowledge of farmers have improved

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 26 of 29
 SOLUTION
- Orientation development plans in regions without competition with
5 “king crops”,
- Government has an incentive mechanism to company who has final
product processing,
- Improve quality/productivity are highest priority,
- Risk insurance for producers when crop failure due to natural disaster,
- Commercial policy should have priority price better for sustainable and
good quality products,
- More capacity building and provide relevant information for producers.

Warning: without Certification, high risk on

low quality, low productivity and no food safety… !

Any question ?

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 27 of 29
 ANNEX VI

Sensory Evaluation Training

§ Malaysia noted the interest of Thailand and Philippines for
the collaboration of building expertise and knowledge on
sensory evaluation with Malaysia
§ Malaysia, as the lead country for this agenda, would like to
propose sensory evaluation training in Malaysia in year
2018 and open to all the ASEAN Member States (AMS)
§ Two (2) participants per country
§ All the expenses incurred have to bear by the participated
AMS
§ AMS can access the ACC TWGFS website for further
information

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 28 of 29
 ANNEX VII

Food Act 1983 (Act 281) and Regulations 1985

q Ministry of Health, Malaysia is in the process of amending
food regulations related to cocoa and cocoa product as below:
• Regulation 274. Cocoa bean
• Regulation 275. Cocoa nib or cracked cocoa
• Regulation 276. Cocoa paste, cocoa mass, cocoa slab or
cocoa liquor
• Regulation 277. Cocoa butter
• Regulation 278. Cocoa or cocoa powder or soluble cocoa
• Regulation 279. Chocolate
• Regulation 280. White chocolate
• Regulation 281. Milk chocolate

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The 21th ACC Meeting, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam Page 29 of 29