With Easter just around the corner, it’s a big time of year for chocolate and we’re here to help you choose the best of the best. In this simple guide we’re taking a look at the ethicality of chocolate and the factors you should take into consideration when choosing from shelves on shelves of the delicious stuff. Use this guide to ensure you’re buying the most ethical chocolate for your Easter celebrations.

The problem with the chocolate industry

There are several main issues with the ethicality of chocolate production by multinationals. These include child labour, poverty, deforestation and palm oil, which are all linked to one another.

• Most cocoa is grown in West Africa by small scale farmers, who only receive 6-11% of the final value of a processed bar. Instead, the countries that process the cocoa receive the majority of the profit, resulting in the majority of cocoa farmers being below the poverty line.
• Due to poverty being so high in cocoa farmers, they rely on child labour and deforestation to get by.
• Many chocolates also contain palm oil, another huge driver of deforestation.

A different model

The good news is that there are lots of chocolate companies following better models. These include value-added-at-source chocolate, fair trade chocolate, organic and vegan chocolate. So, there are loads of great brands to choose from to get your chocolate fix.

Fairtrade

Fairtrade ensures fairer and more stable payment to farmers, even when the market price falls. This means they are more likely to receive above poverty wages.

According to Ethical Consumer, ‘Fairtrade buyers also have to pay a ‘premium’, which goes into a communal fund. Workers and farmers choose how the money gets spent, on social, economic or environmental projects.’

Look for the Fairtrade Mark when you shop.

Organic

By buying organic chocolate, you’re directly supporting eco-friendly growers who, in turn, are contributing to the preservation of the planet. According to the Soil Association, organic chocolate is better for:

• The planet – as organic farming systems respect nature and enhance the health of our soils, water and air.
• Wildlife – because organic farmers aim to create a natural balance between plants and animals to prevent pests so they can avoid pesticides. This, in turn, prevents the pollution of local ecosystems and water supplies.
• The environment – as organic farming doesn’t use manufactured nitrogen fertilisers – which are a huge contributor to the excess nitrogen in our atmosphere.
• Farming – as organic processes support the long-term health of the soil, which naturally leads to more crop diversity and makes it more resilient in the face of climate change.

Look for organic certification when you shop. The main logos you will see are the Soil Association and European Union organic logo . You can read more on UK Organic Certification.

Our favourite ethical chocolate choices

Cocoa loco: Keep your eyes peeled for this ethical brand hitting our shelves this Easter! Their chocolate is organic, Fairtrade certified, palm oil free and handmade with love in West Sussex. Guarantee an ethical Easter with a Cocoa Loco Easter egg!

Divine: Divine Chocolate is farmer-owned and remains committed to sustainable and ethical practices, exemplifying the positive impact of fair trade on a global scale.

Ombar: This vegan brand pays higher than fair trade prices for native Ecuadorian cacao that doesn’t fluctuate in price like the cheaper mass-market varieties do. This means they can offer farmers a stable income at better than fair prices. As all the farmers they work with are part of the global Fairtrade scheme, the additional premium they pay for their cacao goes straight to projects that benefit their local community.

Tony’s Chocolonely: They prove that things can be done differently with their incredibly tasty chocolate. Tony’s rules of the game for fairer chocolate puts human rights at the centre of business. This allows companies to source cocoa sustainably while still enjoying commercial success.

Montezuma’s: They’re proud to keep their factory free from palm oil, additives, and anything unnatural. They pack every bar with nothing but the good stuff! Their commitment to ethical sourcing means they only use ingredients that meet top-notch standards, certified by Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Soil Association, and Cocoa Horizons.

VEGO: Vegan, organic, palm oil-free and Fairtrade certified. It is of utmost importance to them that their products are manufactured under fair conditions, and free from child labour.