The presence of a vegan label on chocolate may lead one to believe that it encompasses benefits for animals, the environment, and human well-being. Nevertheless, not all vegan chocolates uphold ethical standards. To grasp the underlying reasons and discern how to identify ethical vegan chocolate options, continue reading.

Vegan-Friendly Dark Chocolate Bars: A Dairy-Free Option

Why are we raising concerns about the ethics of vegan chocolate?

In a landscape dominated by “veganwashing,” it’s easy to fall into the trap of assuming that all seemingly innocuous vegan chocolate bars align with ethical values. The concern stems from the fact that while dairy-free chocolate options have introduced alternatives for vegans and those who prioritise cruelty-free living, this façade often conceals major ethical dilemmas within the industry.

Consider a prominent chocolate brand’s vegan chocolate bar, for instance. Although it had ventured into the realm of vegan chocolates, the company remains complicit in practices that subject cows to physical and psychological abuse for their dairy-based products. Despite some products being devoid of milk, this well known brand does not qualify as a cruelty-free chocolate company, as most of its offerings still incorporate dairy. A 2011 investigation exposed the gruesome mistreatment of cows in dairy farms linked to its milk supply.

Opting for this brand’s vegan chocolate may not align with your ethical principles if you seek to make conscientious purchases that prioritise animal well-being. While the product itself may not contain milk, contributing funds to this top purveyor of chocolate indirectly perpetuates harm against animals when considering the bigger picture. A viable alternative is supporting chocolate businesses that operate exclusively as vegan entities.

However, not everyone has convenient access to local vegan alternatives, and vegan options might be financially burdensome, which is only available in a larger bar format compared to their non-Vegan chocolates. While endorsing small-scale vegan businesses and artisanal chocolate makers focusing on animal-free creations is commendable, such a choice may not be feasible for everyone or on all occasions. Thankfully, Davies provides you with this alternative in Sydney and Australia with its new range of vegan chocolate bars!

Transgressions against Basic Human Rights in Cacao Farms

Cacao farms, akin to dairy farms, form part of the supply chain that companies rely on to source ingredients for their chocolate products. Unfortunately, this network remains rife with unchecked violations against human rights. The exploitation of cacao farmers and labourers continues to persist.

Were you aware that the chocolate industry witnesses widespread cases of slavery and child labour? Around 70% of the world’s cocoa is cultivated in Western African nations, with approximately 1.2 million children toiling on cocoa farms in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. Severe poverty forces children into labour to sustain their families, often coerced by traffickers with promises of lucrative employment, only to be ensnared in unpaid work on cacao farms. These children endure deplorable working and living conditions, which include using machetes to crack pods and expose cacao beans, resulting in injuries and scars. Their ordeal extends to inadequate nourishment, unsanitary surroundings, and the denial of education.

Efforts to Combat Slavery and Child Labor in the Chocolate Industry

For decades, journalists and organisations have documented instances of child slavery on cocoa farms, particularly in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. However, exposing these abuses remains a challenge due to the covert nature of the trade. Prosecuting major chocolate corporations under the law has also proven difficult. A notable case involves 2 major brands, where child labourers trafficked from Mali were exploited in hazardous conditions to harvest cacao for these companies. Despite ongoing acknowledgment of child labour in their supply chains, chocolate giants evade accountability and fail to enact substantial change.

Recently, reports have unveiled child labour on cocoa farms in Ghana, which contribute to another company’s supply chain. Shocking discoveries included children as young as ten using machetes without protective gear, resulting in injuries. These findings underscore that child labour persists despite Ghanaian laws prohibiting such practices.

In a purported effort to end child labour, major chocolate corporations partnered in 2001 to support the World Cocoa Foundation. Yet, progress has fallen short of targets, and the industry’s alleged actions against slavery and child labour appear insincere. The scale of abuse is downplayed while self-proclaimed “accomplishments” are magnified, demonstrating a lack of genuine commitment to change.

Chocolate’s Ethical Quandaries Hit Close to Home

The consumption of delectable vegan treats often distances us from the toil required to produce them and the repercussions faced by those involved. While human rights violations and animal cruelty might seem remote, whether on African farms or rural dairy operations, detachment perpetuates a sense of powerlessness. Ethical consumers possess the capacity to make discerning financial decisions, effect change, and challenge injustices.

These multi-million-dollar corporations exert considerable global influence and resources, positioning them to address ethical issues responsibly. The profitability of the chocolate industry relies on the exploitation of workers and farmers. Companies have the capability to combat child labour, institute fair pay, and ensure safe working conditions. However, they often choose profit over people’s livelihoods and well-being.

Navigating the Ethical Maze for Vegan Chocolate

Cacao pods

Does embracing ethical chocolate necessitate shunning all vegan options available in supermarkets? After gaining insight into the industry’s abuses, such a stance might be tempting.

Previously, we explored the notion of voting with your wallet—supporting products in alignment with your values. Although exclusively patronising vegan and ethical chocolate enterprises is plausible, it hinges on accessibility and affordability. Most offerings stem from establishments that exploit both humans and animals, raising questions about the existence of truly cruelty-free choices. Understanding the industry’s dynamics may lead you to view chocolate as a luxury worth investing more in, especially if it entails backing businesses that champion veganism and ethically source cacao from transparent supply chains that prioritise farmer welfare. Other avenues exist for assessing chocolate’s ethics during shopping.

The Chocolate List by the Food Empowerment Project

This valuable compilation features businesses vending vegan chocolate. The Food Empowerment Project engaged with each company, categorising them based on their responses.

“Recommended chocolates” denote companies with transparent policies, utilising traceable cacao beans sourced from regions not plagued by extreme child labour and slavery. Requirements for cacao beans from Western Africa and Brazil may include worker profit-sharing or ownership.

Food Empowerment Project’s “Chavez bunny” for recommended chocolates

Conversely, companies “not recommended” collaborate with farms perpetuating egregious child labour and slavery practices. Despite certifications or initiatives, these companies are complicit in sustaining unethical practices on a significant scale. Initiatives operating in Western Africa often fail to empower cacao farmers and provide a living wage, failing to address the root causes of child labour and slavery. The list also accounts for companies failing to disclose cacao bean sources or show apathy towards meaningful transformation.

Your Guide to Ethical Vegan Chocolates

To aid in navigating the ethical terrain when selecting vegan chocolate, consider the following steps:

    • Research the cacao bean sources of your preferred vegan chocolate brands.
    • Scrutinise their efforts against child labour and slavery, and whether they guarantee fair wages and working conditions. Beware of brands that merely pay lip service while perpetuating the problem in their supply chains.
    • Refer regularly to the Food Empowerment Project’s chocolate list.
    • Keep the list accessible as company standings may change. Regular checks while shopping will reveal new brands to support and those to avoid.
    • Encourage your favourite vegan chocolate brand to seek accreditation from the Food Empowerment Project.
    • Reach out to them via email to inquire about their anti-slavery and child labour measures, urging them to join the list. If responses are lacking, seek further evidence to substantiate their claims. This approach will help you gauge whether to continue endorsing a particular company.

Understanding chocolate’s ethical dimension can reshape your perspective. Rather than a daily indulgence, it might become an occasional treat to savour. Exploring small vegan businesses and supporting brands endorsed by the Food Empowerment Project can empower consumers. This insight underscores the hollowness of many accreditations and initiatives embraced by major brands—across industries, not just in chocolate.

The proliferation of vegan labels often obscures the fact that numerous companies prioritise profit over ethical principles. As a conscientious consumer, researching and staying informed about the companies you financially bolster through purchases is crucial.

As misleading claims and “veganwashing” become more commonplace, it is essential to regularly question purchases and opt for ethical choices whenever possible. By doing so, you contribute to a shift away from oppressive practices and foster a more just future.

Summary Key Points:

    • Misleading Vegan Labels: Not all chocolates with a vegan label are ethical. Many chocolate brands may appear vegan-friendly but still engage in practices that harm animals and the environment.
    • Cruelty in the Chocolate Industry: Some prominent chocolate brands claim to offer vegan options while still supporting unethical practices, such as dairy production involving animal abuse. Choosing these products may indirectly contribute to harm against animals.
    • Accessibility and Affordability: Access to ethical vegan chocolate options can be limited, and they may come at a higher cost than non-vegan alternatives, making it challenging for everyone to choose ethically.
    • Human Rights Abuses: The chocolate industry is linked to human rights abuses, including child labour and slavery, especially in cacao farms in Western African nations like Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
    • Ineffectual Efforts: Major chocolate corporations have made promises to combat child labour and slavery but have often fallen short in delivering meaningful change. Child labour and slavery persist in their supply chains.
    • Consumer Influence: Ethical consumers can influence the chocolate industry by making informed choices. They can support brands that prioritise ethical practices and transparent supply chains.
    • Food Empowerment Project’s Chocolate List: The Food Empowerment Project provides a valuable resource that categorises chocolate brands based on their ethical practices, helping consumers make informed choices.
    • Steps for Ethical Chocolate Purchases: Consumers can research cacao bean sources, scrutinise efforts against child labour and slavery, refer to the Food Empowerment Project’s list, and encourage their Favorite brands to seek accreditation.
    • Reshaping Perspective: Understanding chocolate’s ethical dimension can lead to occasional, mindful consumption and empower consumers to support small vegan businesses and ethical brands.
    • Conscientious Consumerism: Regularly questioning purchases and opting for ethical choices can contribute to a shift away from oppressive practices in the chocolate industry and promote a more just future.