Focus on Chocolate, Part Two: Chocolate Scorecard

Since surfacing in the mainstream media nearly ten years ago, the problem of trafficked child labor in West African cocoa plantations has received a decent amount of public attention, which put pressure on chocolate companies to make reforms. The major chocolate companies have all paid great lip service, promising to make improvements, but not all have delivered on their promises.

In a 2009 update, the International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF) reported on which companies have made good on their assurances and which ones have not. I've summarized their findings below (and added contact links so you can let these companies know how you feel!); you can also read the full report, which includes a narrative of each company's status.

The Bitter
These companies continue to drag their feet when it comes to making the necessary reforms that would eliminate child slavery from their supply chain.

• Hershey (which owns Scharffen Berger and Dagoba Chocolate) {contact}
  
• M&M/Mars (which owns Dove) {contact}
• Nestle (which owns Haagen-Dazs) {contact}

The Bitter-Sweet
These companies have made some strides towards meaningful reform, but still have a ways to go.

• Godiva {contact}
• Ghiradelli/Lindt {contact}
• Starbucks {contact}
• Dagoba {contact}
• Endangered Species Chocolate {contact}

The Sweetest!
These companies are the most committed to making positive change for cocoa farmers worldwide and deserve our business and support!

• Sweet Earth Chocolates {contact} {shop}
  
• Divine Chocolates {contact} {shop}
• Equal Exchange {contact} {shop}