Barry Callebaut : Mona Lisa Announces Shift to HORIZONS Program as Cocoa Source for Decorative Chocolate Products

Mona Lisa chocolate cups and decorations bring texture, shape, color, and taste to desserts created by their customers, which include in-store bakeries, hotels, restaurants and industrial commissary bakeries. Mona Lisa is continually expanding their product portfolio to provide customers with the most inspired and unique products necessary to create world-class desserts.

'As a dedicated supplier in the chocolate decorations category, our goal is to create products that best serve our customers and enable them to elevate their sweet creations,' said Beau Netzer, Specialty Products General Manager at Barry Callebaut. 'At the same time, our goal at Barry Callebaut is to make sustainable chocolate the norm, and this transition for Mona Lisa is another significant step in that direction.' Supporting the Cocoa Horizons Foundation is just one component of Barry Callebaut's robust sustainability efforts. In November 2016 Barry Callebaut launched 'Forever Chocolate', a comprehensive strategy that addresses the key sustainability challenges in the chocolate supply chain. Forever Chocolate states that by 2025 Barry Callebaut will:

• Eradicate child labor from its supply chain;
• Lift more than 500,000 cocoa farmers out of poverty;
• Become carbon and forest positive; and
• Have 100% sustainable ingredients in all its products

'We are passionate about sustainability because we know it is imperative that chocolate is around for generations to come. We believe our efforts will create a movement for the industry and will ensure a positive, lasting impact for cocoa farmers, chocolate manufacturers, and consumers alike,' said Seema Kedia, Senior Manager, Marketing and Sustainability for Barry Callebaut USA.

More information on Barry Callebaut's sustainability efforts can be found here. Please visit the Cocoa Horizons Foundation's website for more information on their initiatives. More information on Mona Lisa Decorationsis available here.

About Mona Lisa Decorations (www.monalisadecorations.com):
Mona Lisa North America decorations bring a world of color and texture to desserts created by the nation's best bakers, pastry chefs and more. Founded in 1987 in Salinas, California, Mona Lisa NA quickly found success and growth, eventually relocating to a larger facility, in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where they are located today. Mona Lisa's unique range of products is found in many segments within the food industry including in-store bakeries, hotels,restaurants and industrial commissary bakeries. They offer products in foodservice, retail and cash & carry packaging. With unparalleled designs and flavors, Mona Lisa customized products will give desserts the 'wow' factor chefs and their customers desire. In 2012, Mona Lisa was acquired by Barry Callebaut, the global chocolate leader.

About Barry Callebaut Group
With annual sales of about CHF 6.7 billion (EUR 6.1 billion / USD 6.8 billion) in fiscal year 2015/16, the Zurich-based Barry Callebaut Group is the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products - from sourcing and processing cocoa beans to producing the finest chocolates, including chocolate fillings,decorations and compounds. The Group runs more than 50 production facilities worldwide and employs a diverse and dedicated global workforce of close to 10,000 people. The Barry Callebaut Group serves the entire food industry, from industrial food manufacturers to artisanal and professional users of chocolate, such as chocolatiers, pastry chefs, bakers, hotels, restaurants or caterers. The two global brands catering to the specific needs of these Gourmet customers are Callebaut® and Cacao Barry®. The Barry Callebaut Group is committed to sustainable cocoa production to help ensure future supplies of cocoa and improve farmer livelihoods. It supports the Cocoa Horizons Foundation in its goal to shape a sustainable cocoa and chocolate future.