Comments on: Dark Chocolate: Are You Eating Child Slavery?

By: Milehimama

Milehimama — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:37:13 +0000

Hi,
I just have two things to add:
In the US, Cadbury is made and distributed by Hershey (has been for 20+ years). US Cadbury bars are just like Hershey bars - not fair trade. It’s the UK version that is.

and

this morning in response to an inquiry, I got a long letter from Lindt/Ghiradelli which said in part:
“Lindt & Sprüngli is extremely concerned about possible practices of child labour and can assure you that we condemn any abusive practices. This is one of the reasons why we do not source cocoa beans from Ivory Coast. Prudent and conscientious relations with the environment and with the communities in which we live and work are important to us and enshrined in our Company Credo. In the procurement of our raw materials, great importance is therefore attached to compliance with the rules of sustainable conduct. This includes respect for social and societal aspects, such as working conditions and incomes of farmers in the growing countries, support and promotion of environmentally friendly production conditions, and payment of fair prices for raw materials which satisfy our stringent quality criteria. ”

The letter details their traceability program and special programs set up in 2009 and 2010 to ensure all of their cocoa is ethically and sustainably produced. Some chocolate manufacturers are listening!

Hagelands Belgian chocolate has several South American sourced bars (they are called “Peru”, “Inca”, and the like and do have a fair trade seal, and seem fairly widely available. I saw them at Walmart.

By: Spencer @ Moo-Lolly-Bar

Spencer @ Moo-Lolly-Bar — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:51:37 +0000

Great post. Cadbury’s have actually brought out a range of Fair Trade Cadbury Dairy Milk products so its great that one of the big boys of chocolate manufacturing have developed a conscious.

By: Karen Perkins

Karen Perkins — Fri, 21 May 2010 01:13:13 +0000

I am a converted no-chocolate eater now, as I viewed a program recently on this topic and was totally disgusted. I don’t even like eating fair trade chocolate now due to the fact that I have endulged in eating my way through my 49 years making misery for so many child slaves. Thanks so much for this article, that I may pass the information on to my children and friends and family. I have found that the store where I work are also encouraging staff to look for Fair trade products. I am surprised by both lists who support and don’t support and Hersheys, well, now I know why I didn’t use their product on my wedding day.

By: Natasha Steer

Natasha Steer — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:53:05 +0000

Hi everyone,

Seems that all of you would be interested in the buycott that will be occuring at Slaverysucks.org. starting May 1st, 2010. We will have the petition up shortly and are trying to get as many signatures as possible to send to the major chocolate companies, telling them we refuse to buy their chocolate for at least one month. Please check it out, and spread the word! ***Every signature counts***

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:32:48 +0000

Thanks so much for this article! I just came home to Oz from a trip to Ecuador and while those who produce cacao (at least of a local - family/community - level) do not use slavery, they are paid a pittance for their hard work! US$2.00 for a whole harvest, in a family about 5 trees. I came home determined to only eat Fair Trade chocolate.

I’ve always had something against Lindt that I could never explain - and now I actually have reason!

Also, Haigh’s chocolate is Fair Trade - I went in just a few days ago and they were able to give me some great info.

Also, does anyone know any chocolate brands who use cacao from South America?

Thanks!

By: tash the pash

tash the pash — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:15:06 +0000

this is an amazing website i just cant believe how good this is

By: phil

phil — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:12:39 +0000

can you clarify what you mean by Green and Black being slave free but Cadbury’s not being slave free.

By: Berenice

Berenice — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:55:10 +0000

Hi, my name is Berenice and I was really impressed by your blog and the information in it. I also have a blog where I talk about slavery, but not in a certain place, but around the world. I think it is very important to stop child slavery, because it’s affecting our children’s future and generations. Hope you agree with me! I totally agree on what we can do to stop child slavery. I cannot believe all the important facts about chocolate child slavery, it’s amazing how we have all this things around us and we don’t even know where it actually comes from, and who the ones to make it are. I would also like for you to visit my blog and tell me what you think about it, if you could give me a little feedback, I would appreciate it! http://skillsworthlearning.com/nano/ziggy

By: steven

steven — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:56:01 +0000

this is a great article to explain the facts about chocolate slavery. I really liked the story about the guy who took himself to court. Like you i am also doing a blog about this topic. If you have time visit me at http://www.skillsworthlearning.com/micro/pool

By: Katrina Armstrong

Katrina Armstrong — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:41:20 +0000

I have written to Lindt (since that’s the chcolate I love..or should i say once loved). Is there anyone else we could be writing to? Someone in government maybe??