Meiji Launches ‘Inedible’ Cacao Brand to Reduce Waste

The Yomiuri Shimbun

11:43 JST, August 1, 2023

Major confectionery maker Meiji Holdings Co. has launched an inedible cacao brand for interior and miscellaneous goods made with cacao husks.

Cacao husks are not used as raw material for chocolate, but are being tapped as part of efforts to use resources effectively.

Under the Cacao Style brand, eight products such as accessory cases, paper cup holders and flower vases, have gone on sale in collaboration with goods manufacturers and other entities. Characterized by the sweet aroma of chocolate, these products can be purchased on the websites of partner companies.

About 500,000 tons of cacao husks are generated annually worldwide. The husks are removed during the process to manufacture chocolate, and they were previously used only as animal feed or fuel, among other purposes. Meiji and its partner companies use the husks that are crushed as material for their inedible lifestyle products.

“We want to create a system that will enrich both our customers and workers in the cacao industry,” said Katsunari Matsuda, chief operating officer of Meiji’s food segment.