Chocolate: it’s the cornerstone of any good diet. But did you know that many conventional chocolates are produced under unethical social and environmental standards? The cacao plant that is eventually processed into your chocolate bar is regularly harvested by child laborers and slaves and often times on unsustainably managed land, contributing to deforestation and habitat loss for many species. However, the market is changing and there are now many chocolate producers who value human lives and decency and support sustainable agricultural production from their inception. Learn more about how these brands are sustainable on the ConsiderBeyond app.

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1. Tony's Chocolonely

Instagram | @tonyschocolonely
Attributes | Eco-packaging, Support Environmental Projects, Fair Trade, Responsible Supply Chain, Ethical Labor, Local Community and Farmers, Certified, Impact Reporting
Certifications | B Corp, Fair Trade Certified

Tony's Chocolonely was founded in 2004 as a result of the Dutch television program that exposed the issue of modern slavery and illegal child labor in the cocoa industry. A Dutch journalist who investigated child slavery in West Africa was so committed to making a difference he started producing 5,000 fair trade chocolate bars that sold out immediately. Since then, the brand has been collaborating with traditional chocolate brands and manufacturers to change the whole industry. Tony's Chocolonely is active in educating consumers about the behind truth of the chocolate industry. To read more.

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2. Theo Chocolate

Instagram | @theochocolate
Attributes | Fair Trade, Responsible Supply Chain, Ethical Labor, Local Community and Farmers, Certified, Impact Reporting
Certifications | USDA Organic

Theo Chocolate, founded in 2005, has been long on a mission to create a more compassionate world by making delicious chocolates through a responsible supply chain, fair wages, and high-quality ingredients. One of the founders, Joe Whinney, had experience supplying organic cocoa beans but jumped into his own business to make a difference in the farming communities he met. They transparently communicate about the impact they are making by releasing an impact report yearly.

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3. Alter Eco

Instagram | @altereco_foods
Attributes | Certified, Impact Reporting, Non GMO, Ethical Labor, Responsible Supply Chain, Fair Trade, Local Community and Farmers, Organic, Clean Ingredients, Eco-packaging
Certifications |  B Corp, USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified, Climate Neutral Certified

Alter Eco was created with a social mission from the start. Releasing their first range of products in 2008, they have been at the forefront of demonstrating social entrepreneurialism. They source from farmer-owned coops practicing sustainable agriculture and actively implementing sustainability from all angles. Alter Eco is another B corporation, fair trade certified, climate neutral certified and publishes an impact report. No GMOs, no artificial flavors, organic, and gluten-free!

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4. Divine Chocolate

Instagram | @divinechocolateusa
Attributes | Certified, Fair Trade, Local Community and Farmers, Responsible Supply Chain, Ethical Labor, Women-led, Carbon Footprint Measure
Certifications | B Corp, Fair Trade Certified

Divine Chocolate, born in the United Kingdom, is a global social enterprise where the majority shareholder of the company is Kuapa Kokoo Farmers' Union, a co-operative of 100,000 cocoa farmers in Ghana who grow the finest quality cocoa. Divine Chocolate has been here since 1998 by a co-operative of cocoa farmers in Ghana that voted to set up a chocolate company. Their chocolate is made with high-quality natural and fair trade ingredients, 100% pure cocoa butter, no artificial flavors, no palm oil, and no GMOs.

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5. Raaka Chocolate

Instagram | @raakachocolate
Attributes |Certified, Fair Trade, Local Community and Farmers, Responsible Supply Chain, Vegan, Non GMO
Certifications | USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Certified

Raaka Chocolate, started in Brooklyn, publishes a detailed report on their transparent trade of cacao. The report shares information on how the company purchase cacao, who they buy it from, the price they paid and the comparison to the commodity market and fair trade prices. Raaka Chocolate works with cooperatives and organizations that focuses on cacao quality and pays higher prices to farmers for the high quality.

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6. TCHO Chocolate

Instagram | @tchochocolate
Attributes | Certified, Fair Trade, Local Community and Farmers, Responsible Supply Chain, Organic, Vegan
Certifications | B Corp, USDA Organic, Fair Trade Certified

This certified B Corp makes premium vegan chocolate that is fully fair trade and traceable. They are transparent about their factories and partner cooperatives around the world. TCHO Source is their unique program for partnering with cacao producers and research institutions worldwide to create a better cacao bean, because better cacao means better chocolate.

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7. fairafric

Instagram | @fairafric
Attributes | Ethical Labor, Fair Trade, Local Community and Farmers, Responsible Supply Chain, Organic, Non GMO

fairafric is a German-Ghanaian social enterprise that aims to take fair trade to the next level by not only sourcing from Ghana, but leaving the entire production chain in the country of origin of the raw materials. fairafric aims to support Ghanaian farmers by providing them fair wages, access to healthcare, investing in education, and other ways to improve people's working and living conditions.

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8. Beyond Good

Instagram |@eatbeyondgood‍

Beyond Good produces single origin chocolate and vanilla from Madagascar. Operating a direct trade business model means that there are zero middlemen between the farm and the factory. They source from 93 farmers in Madagascar and produce the chocolate and vanilla bean products in a factory within the country.

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9. Montezuma's Chocolate

Instagram | @montezumaschocs

Montezuma's is a British chocolate brand that makes all types of chocolate goods that vary in flavor and also caters to plant-based customers. They partner with a number of suppliers to ensure that all sourced chocolate meets stringent ethical criteria and certifications. Made without palm oil and plastic packaging, Montezuma's is striving to improve its environmental impact and transparency by seeking B-Corp accreditation.

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10. Equal Exchange

Instagram | @equalexchange

Equal Exchange is a brand that produces chocolate bars made from organic cacao sourced from Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. They prioritize fair trade practices by working with small farmer co-ops, empowering farmers to gain market access and make democratic business decisions. Established in 1952, Equal Exchange was the first agricultural co-operative in Panama. Their commitment to sustainable agriculture extends to preserving local ecosystems and supporting the nearby Amistad Forest Reserve. Many of their choclates are USDA Certified, Certified organic by Oregon Tilth and kosher pareve certified.

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