The Dark Side of Chocolate
In West Africa, where Ghana and Ivory Coast produce 70% of the world’s cocoa, child labour remains widespread in the cocoa industry. Millions of children, some as young as five, work under hazardous conditions, largely due to extreme poverty among farmers, who now receive only 6% of a chocolate bar’s value, compared to 50% in the 1970s. These children face dangerous tasks, including exposure to harmful chemicals, limited access to education, and the threat of human trafficking, which perpetuates their exploitation. Attempts at regulation and industry-led initiatives have largely failed, and certification schemes such as Fairtrade, UTZ, and Rainforest Alliance have proven insufficient. As a result, consumers currently have no reliable means of ensuring that their chocolate is free from child exploitation.
Figure 1. The regulation behind child cocoa industry and the struggle against child exploitation.
Figure created by the author using Napkin AI (2025)
How can I contribute to ethical chocolate consumption?
The key is to be informed and engage proactively as consumers. These strategies include researching chocolate companies for credible certifications and consulting independent resources like the Food Empowerment Project. Consumers are encouraged to create awareness by contacting companies, supporting campaigns, and favouring ethical brands over those linked to exploitation. Additionally, involvement with organisations combatting child labour, through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering, can contribute to broader systemic change.
Figure 2. Approaches to promote ethical choices in chocolate consumption.
Figure created by the author using Napkin AI (2025)
References
Original text: Braga, A. (2024). El lado oscuro del chocolate: explotación infantil en la industria del cacao - Humanium. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from Humanium website: Humanium
Napkin AI. (2025). The Regulation Behind Child Cocoa Industry and the Struggle Against Child Exploitation [Figure 1]. Retrieved fromnapkin.ai.
Napkin AI. (2025). Approaches to promote ethical choices in chocolate consumption [Figure 2]. Retrieved fromnapkin.ai.