As you may know, the chocolate industry is one of the biggest perpetrators of slave labor. It is estimated that 2.1 million West African children work in life-threatening conditions from sunrise until after sunset each day. Often times, these children are trafficked to different parts of Africa, never to see their families again.
The solution does not have to be eliminating chocolate from our diets altogether, but rather, buying from brands that use 100% Fair Trade cacao. Below are four of the top producers of ethical chocolates.
Tony’s Chocolonely sells chocolate bars and other chocolate candies that are 100% slave-free and Fair Trade Certified. Tony’s has shops (literally) all over the world and even a Chocotruck that travels across the United States. Because Ghana and the Ivory Coast are two of the locations most prone to slave labor in cacao farms, Tony’s works in these areas to create change while leading by example.
Zotter’s chocolates are sold in a wide variety of flavors and forms ranging from sour cherry chocolate Balleros to latte-flavored drinking chocolate to marzipan chocolate bars. Zotter’s products are fair trade and 100% organic and come in vegan and dairy-free options.
Vosges Chocolate is a gourmet chocolate brand selling Fair Trade Certified truffles, bonbons, peanut butter cups, and even alcohol-infused chocolates. All of Vosges’ products come in beautiful packaging which makes them great to give as a gift. Vosges Chocolate is Fair Trade Certified.
Alter Eco’s chocolate collection contains unique flavors such as quinoa, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds. All of Alter Eco’s products are Fair Trade, Certified B, organic, and free of palm oil. Activism and sustainability are also extremely valued by this brand. According to its website, “It took several years, but we launched the world’s first compostable, non-GMO, non-toxic candy wrappers, and invented the world’s first compostable stand-up pouch made from renewable, plant-based, non-GMO materials.”
Sources:
https://www.endslaverynow.org/blog/articles/the-chocolate-slaves-of-the-ivory-coast
https://laborrights.org/in-the-news/was-your-chocolate-produced-using-child-slave-labor
Featured image: https://news.microsoft.com/transform/justice-and-the-cloud-are-key-ingredients-for-dutch-chocolate-company-tonys-chocolonely/
