Let me guess– your guilty pleasure got even guiltier when you decided to go sustainable.
But fear not!
The chocolate industry is making strides when it comes to sustainability and human rights, and economic trends show that consumer pressure is the driving force.
So yes– your ravenous PMS cravings can actually be a force for good in this world.
Just be sure to consider these key factors before you hit the check-out line:
What the fudge is chocolate even made out of?
The main ingredient that defines chocolate as we know it is cocoa, which starts out as bitter white beans inside a giant red pod called cacao.
[Insert photo]
To achieve the flavor and color we all know and love, the beans are roasted and ground into powder. Then sugar or an artificial sweetener is added.
Milk chocolates are infused with milk fat, and usually a pretty sizable list of artificial flavors, preservatives, and emulsifiers as well.
Where do these ingredients come from?
Most of the world’s cacao is grown in West Africa–about 70% coming from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and the Ivory Coast.
However, cacao originated in South America and is a traditional staple in countries like Ecuador and Mexico.
Preservatives, artificial flavors, and artificial sweeteners are produced in labs and milk products most likely come from factory farms. All of these ingredients are usually sourced in the country where the chocolate is being manufactured.
The social and environmental costs
Health implications aside, chocolate became infamous a few decades ago for the human rights violations discovered on the majority of the world’s cacao farms.
Even today, most farmers make less than $2USD/day. This is not enough for families to live on, so child labor is commonplace and recently spiked due to COVID-19. It’s estimated that about 1.56 million children are working in the fields of West African cacao farms.
Agricultural chemicals and deforestation are also having disastrous effects on the environment. Factory farmed dairy cows are no different (think: burps + farts = methane).
Then of course, there’s plastic wrapping almost every single conventional chocolate product.
How to satisfy your cravings responsibly
BUT–as we initially promised–all is not lost.
Your chocolate indulgence can be eco-friendly and socially equitable if you only purchase organic, fair trade certified dark chocolate that is free from palm oil* and packaged in compostable or recycled packaging.
*Palm oil is typically used as an emulsifier and is contributing to mass deforestation that is driving many species, like orangutans, to extinction.
Fair trade certifications require a living wage to be paid to farmers regardless of dips in the market. Transparency is also required from farm to shelf, so you don’t have to worry about the product being mixed with non-certified cocoa (which is allowed under the Rainforest Alliance certification).
You probably can’t find these chocolates at your local gas station, but virtually every natural foods store has a sizable selection of brands and flavors that meet these criteria.
And remember, an extra ten cents on our behalf can keep a child in school and out of field labor.
What are some of your favorite ways to eat chocolate?