Child Labour in the Chocolate Industry

Recent media in Denmark, Germany and now the UK have brought to the public’s attention the true horror and extent of child labour within the cocoa trade.  Children as young as 7 years old working long hours to harvest and process cocoa.

In the BBC Panorama programme, aired 24th March 2010 at 9pm, Chocolate – the Bitter Truth, Panorama reporter Paul Kenyon investigates the use of child labour in the cocoa industry and how this produce reaches the UK.

So how can you be sure that the chocolate you enjoy so much has  not arrived in your hands, at the cost of a child’s liberty, education or well-being?

Well, this is part of what the Fairtrade Organisation has been striving for – and by buying Fairtrade products you at least know that the supply chain has been audited against international Fairtrade Standards. 

The Fairtrade standards for producer organizations prohibit child labour – work that is hazardous, exploitative or that undermines a child’s education or his/her emotional and physical health.  The system might not be infallible but it is working towards improvement along with governments,  child welfare organizations, traders and farmers’ groups. 

The Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO),who  set the  international Fairtrade Standards, have made this detailed statement about child labour in the cocoa industry. The FairTrade Foundation (UK Fairtrade organisation) have made also made statement about these issues and invite you to have your say. Tackling child labour in the chocolate industry

Suma sells a wide range of Fairtrade cocoa and chocolate products - there is no excuse not to buy Fairtrade.

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