I am not one to write about politics or world issues, nor is
this blog about such topics, but I fear the Ebola virus. With Halloween just
around the corner this article sent me into a panic attack. Yes, I might be an overactive
mother, but that is ok with me! The fact that 3 Ebola patients have been
diagnosed close to home is terrifying! ….and now this. When are we going to be
able to enjoy a holiday and not have to fear for the safety and health of our
families?
Some of the world’s
largest chocolate companies are joining the fight against Ebola, as the virus
threatens the world's chocolate supply.
Nestle, Mars and Hershey
are among the companies pledging support to combat the disease wrecking havoc
on nations that border Ivory Coast --the world’s biggest exporter cacao --the
raw ingredient in chocolate.
Ivory Coast has shut down
its borders with Liberia and Guinea, two nations hardest hit by the Ebola
virus, shutting out migrant workers needed to pick the beans that go into
M&M, Snickers Bars and Hershey's Kisses, reports Politico. Though Ivory Coast has yet to report
a single case of the deadly virus, residents are fearful that the disease may
quickly cross borders.
The World Cocoa
Foundation, a non-profit that aids small cocoa farmers, has enlisted the help
of many of its 113 members, including Godiva, Ghiradelli, Mars, to raise money
for those affected. The organization has not released figures on how much has
been raised, and more details are likely to emerge at the group’s annual
meeting this Wednesday in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“As a member of the WCF
and a supporter of the CocoaAction strategy, Mars is pleased to see the
industry coming together to help organizations on the ground in the prevention
and eradication of the Ebola virus,” Mars told Politico in a statement.
Prices for cocoa beans
have risen in recent weeks due to Ebola concerns, but it's unclear if Americans
stocking up on Halloween candy will feel the pinch. If prices continue to
rise, chocolate producers could replace some of the cocoa with fillers, or
could just pass the cost onto consumers. This follows a spike in chocolate prices this summer, when cocoa
prices jumped by about 8 percent.
Donations from the
chocolate companies will be distributed to the International Federation of Red
Cross, the Red Crescent Societies, and Caritas, a charity affiliated with the
Catholic Church, according to CNN.
According to the World
Health Organization, over 4,000 people have died from Ebola in
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Chocolate magnate Nestle is said to be
“deeply concerned” about the devastating potential spread of the virus through
West Africa which is home to many of its 6,300 African employees.
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