Bad Chocolate

Some chocolate ain’t so sweet. The Organic Consumers Association is urging a boycott of traditional Valentine’s gifts in favor of fair trade chocolate. The OCA informs us that major cocoa suppliers, Nestle SA, Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) and Cargill Inc. are accused of benefiting from child slave labor at cocoa bean plantations in Ivory Coast, West Africa. FYI- More then 70% of the world’s cocoa originates in West Africa.
Many companies make an effort to avoid slave chocolate, however the five largest manufacturers of milk-chocolate-candy (Nestlé, Hersheys, Mars, Cadbury & Phillip Morris) do not. They claim that they have no control over the problem. This is obviously not true. You should avoid these companies at all costs.
ADM and Cargill state they are supportive of responsible cocoa farming and give funding to the World Cocoa Foundation (who knew there was such a thing…if I join do I get free chocolate?) Nestle has been under pressure for OVER 20 years to change it’s practices. They continue to show an irresponsible attitude towards children with implications of ongoing abuse and torture to child cocoa laborers.
Cocoa farmers who sell their cocoa to fair trade organizations reap more benefits from their work. Extra money earned is often put into projects that benefit whole communities. If you make the decision to purchase fair trade products you help those in need.

If these issues matter to you I would definitely cross all Nestle products (chocolate and formulas) off your grocery list. Horizon formula though a little more expensive is organic and my daughter really liked it. And while you’re at it buy other chocolate brands. I personally like bitter dark chocolate bars with about 70% cocoa content. Valhrona and Sharffen Berger are two notible fair trade chocolates that are easy to come by and taste yummy. Green & Blacks is another popular one but I have yet to taste it. Trader Joe's has a great selection...