Chocolate & Slavery: What Is Mason & Co’s Response?
- Jul 4, 2017
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 14, 2023
We have been asked about whether or not we use beans that are ‘Fair Trade’, and how we can be sure that the beans we use are not sourced from farms that employ children and are unethical in their practices. It is no secret that the chocolate industry, particularly in Africa, is plagued by the sad story of slavery (check out the documentary ‘The Dark Side of Chocolate’).
In India, there are currently not the same slavery concerns, however, it is important to note that it is still legal in India for children below the age of 14 to work in non-hazardous family ‘enterprises’ which of course could lead to a form of child labour.
So here is how we ensure our chocolate is ‘Fair Trade’:
1. We do not buy on the open market and we buy directly from the farmers. This means that we know exactly where our beans are coming from and we can actually trace every bar of chocolate to a single farm and even a single batch of beans. You can say that we are farmer-direct. 2. Additionally, not buying on the open market or using a broker means that we can be sure that the money goes directly into the farmers’ hands. 3. We only buy from 3 farms in India and we work to build personal relationships with the farmers. We believe that having personal relationships with the farmers, getting to know them and their families and spending time of the farms is the the single most important way we can ensure sustainable and fair work practices. 4. When we do buy beans from outside of India for our Limited Editions Bars, we have a policy of not buying from Africa unless there are fair trade certifications or we have personal knowledge of the working practices of the farm.
At Mason & Co, we make every effort to ensure that our sourcing, production and supply of cacao beans and chocolate is fair and sustainable to the people and the environment touched by the supply chain.
I appreciate seeing how Mason & Co takes clear steps to make their chocolate supply chain fair and transparent by buying directly from farmers, building personal relationships and avoiding open market brokers so that farmers are paid fairly and practices are sustainable. 👏 It’s an important contrast to much of the larger industry where issues like child labour and exploitation still persist and real traceability is hard to find. Thinking about global issues like this even makes me consider how سعر الدولار في السوق السوداء عن سعر البنوك affects people’s decisions and access to ethical products and education around these important topics.
It’s inspiring to see Mason & Co’s unwavering commitment to ethical sourcing and direct farmer relationships in the chocolate industry, a level of transparency that even tech sectors like tattoogenerator strive for in their supply chain practices.
Appreciate the detailed write-up! If anyone here is also tracking official government scheme payments, the PM Kisan Payment Date 2026 guide explains the expected timeline and eligibility process clearly.
It’s so reassuring to see brands like Mason & Co taking direct, transparent steps to combat unethical practices in the chocolate industry—building personal ties with farmers and ditching brokers makes all the difference. I recently came across pcbpret while researching how ethical sourcing principles can translate to other industries too, and it’s fascinating to spot these common threads of accountability across different sectors.
This article does a great job explaining how chocolate brands are responding to serious issues like forced labor and cocoa sourcing — it’s really important for consumers to know what goes on behind the products we love 🍫. Just as transparency and support make a real difference in ethical supply chains, initiatives like Ladki Bahin Yojana information portal help empower young women by giving them access to resources and opportunities that build confidence and independence. Thanks for sharing!