03/07/2021
Is Your Cocoa Ethically Sourced? Here Are 5 Ethical Chocolate Brands To Know
If chocolate is synonymous with joy, then ethically conscious chocolate is the epitome of pure bliss. As quoted by 20th-century Portuguese poet and literary luminary Fernando Pessoa, "there's no metaphysics on earth like chocolate," and we couldn't agree more! However, besides knowing about chocolate's multiple health-nourishing benefits and nutritional powers, are you aware of how it's grown?
According to Slave Free Chocolate, a leading grassroots organization aiming to eradicate child slavery in the cocoa industry, 2.3 million children work in the cocoa production fields of West Africa. Many of them are vulnerable and exposed to trafficking, sold into slavery, or kidnapped. This form of child exploitation, next to wide-reaching poverty, gender inequality, and continuous environmental harm (think soil erosion and deforestation) makes the unflagging issues linked to chocolate production something we can't ignore. Choosing ethical, eco-conscious chocolate brands is one simple step toward that goal.
What is ethical chocolate?
When you're in the chocolate aisle of your favorite health food store (or online market, perhaps), you might get confused by labels such as organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, or Fair For Life, to name a few. While these certifications might vary in purpose and scope—environmental, social, and economic sustainability are at the core.
Ethical chocolate is grown and produced with laborers' fair treatment in mind while following safe, environmentally friendly practices. Choosing to consume ethical chocolate casts a vote of change in the cocoa industry and supports a system where all parties involved are treated fairly and respectfully.
Below are five rock-star chocolate companies paving the way for an equitable, sustainable cocoa future. It's by no means a comprehensive list but a helpful start in your ethical cocoa journey.
Time to get started on your ethical cocoa journey.
