Bitter chocolate

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday January 02, 2003 17:17 by Sweettooth

The Chocolate Industry: Slavery Lurking Behind the Sweetness

When most people bite into a candy bar, it is unlikely that they take even a moment to consider where the chocolate they enjoy comes from. If they knew, it probably wouldn't taste as sweet.

Recent investigations have found child slavery in the Ivory Coast, where 43 percent of cocoa beans come from. At the beginning of the 21st century, the children of West Africa are trapped in conditions that were supposed to have been eliminated in the 19th century.

In addition, cocoa workers who are paid receive wages that leave them at the edge of poverty and starvation.

Our cocoa campaign is targeting some of the largest US chocolate corporations. We are demanding that these corporations take immediate steps to end child slavery and poverty wages by committing to purchase at least five percent of their cocoa as Fair Trade Certified.

To read more and also for info on where to get fair trade chocolate go to:

http://www.globalexchange.org/cocoa/retailers.html

Anyone out there know which retailers in Ireland offer fair trade chocolate products?