We all know it only takes one bad egg to spoil the bunch. And the chocolate industry has its fair share of bag eggs.
For years the big chocolate companies like Cadbury, Ferrero, Mars and Nestle have known that forced and child labour is used to harvest cocoa in West Africa where most of the world’s cocoa is produced.
In 2001, representatives of the chocolate industry agreed to take immediate action to eliminate the worst forms of child labour in the cocoa industry, but little has been done in the past 10 years.
This means a vast majority of the chocolate sold on our shelves today- approximately 95% - is not ethically certified and may have been produced using forced or child labour.
Want to eliminate chocolate’s dark side? Then demand a sweeter deal from chocolate companies:
Send a message to Cadbury, Fererro, Mars and Nestle.
Chirp up!
Send a tweet to the chocolate companies: Tell #Cadbury #Mars #Ferrero #Nestle that you don’t want child labour to taint your chocolate.
Do more to end exploitation in the chocolate industry:
- Send a polite email or letter to your Federal MP urging the Australian Government to put pressure on the chocolate industry to fulfil its promises and publically disclose their actions to address this crime.
Click here for points to include in your letter.
Want to know more before you speak to your MP?
Read these FAQs about the issue so you know all the facts!
- Buy ethical chocolate.
Use the Good Chocolate Guide and the Chocolate Scorecard.
- Bought ethical chocolate?
Expand your ethical neighbourhood by adding it to Fairly Local.
Beyond Chocolate:
Do more to combat forced and child labour in Australian business.
Find out how.