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. 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. Cacao Crunch, Taza Chocolate ($5) Organic Salted Almond Dark Chocolate, Theo Chocolate ($3.99) Red Chile Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Cartel ($4.99) Grass-Fed Milk Chocolate, Alter Eco ($3.99) Rich Dark Chocolate With Ginger & Turmeric, Divine Chocolate ($4.59)
