The Green America Chocolate Scorecard ranks major chocolate companies on their sustainability and human rights efforts in cocoa supply chains. The three lowest graded companies Godiva (F) and Ferrero and Mondelez (both Ds) performed even worse than Lindt, Hershey (both C), Mars and Nestle (C+).
Chocolate maker Guittard received a B+ rating. Alter Eco, Divine, Endangered Species, Equal Exchange, Shaman, Theo Chocolate, and Tony’s Chocolonely were all given As.
Cocoa growing
It is estimated that over two million children are working in cocoa fields in West Africa. In addition, cocoa growing has decimated forests in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Companies were rated on the steps they are taking on child labour, deforestation, and whether they have meaningful programs to address farmer poverty.
‘This Halloween and every day, children should be able to enjoy candies that aren’t made by child labourers, and those child labourers should be enjoying their childhoods, rather than being forced to work in dangerous conditions,’ says Charlotte Tate, labour justice manager at Green America.
Tate adds: ‘However, companies continue to make that a difficult task by not adequately addressing child labour in their supply chain. Big brands must do more to tackle these issues and buying ethically sourced chocolate is one way for consumers to put pressure on brands to change their practices.’
Ethically sourced chocolates
‘When bombarded with endless choices, it can be difficult to know which chocolate brands are having a positive impact on the world,’ says Todd Larsen, executive co-director of Consumer and Corporate Engagement at Green America. ‘The aim of Green America’s scorecard is to help consumers feel confident about choosing chocolates that are ethically sourced with high-quality ingredients.’
The Green America Chocolate Scorecard provides a resource to consumers to help identify and purchase chocolate that is ethically made, so that consumers can help in the fight against child labour through supporting those brands making the biggest efforts.
The largest companies’ failure to address child labour in cocoa was spotlighted in a major Washington Post exposé that raised consumer awareness about the issues.
