STiR coffee and tea magazine

18 STiR coffee and tea / Issue 6, 2019 (December / January 2020) Coffee Report: Dan Shryock Nestlé Tests for Weed Killer Nestlé SA began increased monitoring of its coffee imports after recent tests revealed higher levels of the weed-killing chemical glyphosate. Some suppliers in Indonesia and Brazil were told the closer scrutiny would begin in October, according to a Bloomberg news report. The increased diligence follows the discovery that beans from some countries showed levels of glyphosate that came close to regulatory limits. A company memo seen by Bloomberg indicated the new effort should be temporary until producing countries correct how much glyphosate is applied to coffee crops. Many countries have either banned the use of glyphosate or are seeking to prohibit the use of glyphosate which is used in the popular weed killer Round- up. Bayer AG, the parent company of Roundup maker Monsanto, is coping with lawsuits claiming the weed killer causes cancer. "We actively monitor chemical residues, including glyphosate, in the green coffee that we purchase," Switzer- land-based Nestlé said in a statement. "This monitoring program has shown that in some green coffee lots chemical residue levels are close to limits defined by regulations. We are reinforcing our controls working with suppliers to ensure that our green coffee continues to meet regulations all around the world." Nestlé's additional testing primarily targets coffee beans arriving at factories in regions such as Europe, Australia, and Malaysia where legal limits on glyphosate are stricter. The company said it is working with growers to reduce the need for glypho- sate through weed management prac- tices, Bloomberg reported. Extracts Reduce Inflammation Coffee cherry skins and husks may help alleviate chronic illness related to obesity, according to recently published research. Scientists at the University of Illinois found that when fat cells in mice were treated with extracts of coffee bean skins, two compounds found in those extracts reduced fat-induced inflammation in the cells. Glucose absorption and insulin sensitivity also improved. The study, published in Food and Chemical Toxicology, stated the results showed promise as part of an overall strategy for preventing obesity-related illnesses such as cardio- vascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. Learn more: www.sciencedaily.com Colombia Grupo Nutresa Buys US Roaster Grupo Nutresa S.A. has acquired full control of Cameron's Coffee, a Minne- sota-based coffee roasting and distribu- tion company. The purchase price was $113 million, according to reports. Cameron's Coffee sales for the 12-month period ending July 2019 were $72 million. Officially, the purchase targeted CCDC OPCO Holding Corporation, an American firm that owned 100% of Cameron shares. The purchase allows Grupo Nutresa, a leading Colombian food processing company, to establish a stronger international position while positioning itself in the US coffee market. Cameron's Coffee produces and distributes what the company calls premium roasted and ground coffee in bags and pod delivery systems. The company principally operates in US Midwest markets but recently began expanding into other regions. "This acquisition is a new step in Grupo Nutresa's internationalization process and is aligned with our objective of improving the quality of life of consumers through conscious brands, affordable products and innovative, differentiated value propositions," Grupo Nutresa c.e.o. Carlos Ignacio Gallego said. "Through Cameron's Coffee, Grupo Nutresa strengthens its international presence in a fast-growing and dynamic category, which offers multiple opportunities for sustainable long-term value creation." Ecuador Cup of Excellence Expands The Alliance for Coffee Excellence (ACE) is launching a Cup of Excellence pilot program in Ecuador next year, the group announced in late October. The program, arranged in cooperation with the Asociaciòn de Cafès Especiales de Ecuador (ACEDE), begins with an October 2020 effort that will include an international jury, a cupping competition and a live, open auction. Once the formal signings are complete and plans are shared with producers, the first event is expected to be held in the city of Guayaquil. A full program with online auction is antici- pated in 2021. "We are excited to bring the first-ever COE to Ecuador," said Wilson Gonzalez Ramos, executive director of ACEDE. "We are very happy that we've been able to finalize all the details of this project we've been working together for two years, especially to include Ecuador into the pilot program. We're very excited and very keen on putting Ecuador on the world map and bring our best coffees to the most demanding boutiques around the world. We are confident we will ratify Ecuador as an origin of some of the finest coffees in the world." ACE Executive Director Darrin Daniel said the addition to the Cup of Excellence program allows his organiza- tion to "continue to strive towards expansion in countries where we feel can establish our rigorous standards and global auction reach. Globally, roasters and coffee consumers anticipate and expect us to continue discovering coffee producers in the specialty coffee supply chain." France Paribas Partners with NKG The Neumann Kaffee Gruppe is partner- ing with BNP Paribas to create a $25 million loan assistance program for coffee farmers. The intent is to support sustain- able agriculture for farmers in 10 countries. The revolving loan program supports the Neumann Gruppe's NKG Bloom sustainable sourcing initiative, according to company statements. In all, more than 100,000 farmers are expected to benefit from the loans while receiving additional resources and sustainability training. The money will help farmers obtain, manage and diversity their suppliers, employ sustainability practices, and make sure their farms are economically viable, the companies said.

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