Consumers deserve slave-free chocolate: new scorecard holds brands accountable
Media Contact: Lisa McDonald, Vice President of Communications, 202-207-2829
Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) and its organization, the Child Labor Coalition (CLC), are proud to participate in the launch of the Annual Chocolate Scorecard, an initiative coordinated by Be Slavery Free, an Australian coalition campaigning against modern slavery. This campaign aims to raise awareness about child labor in chocolate production, promote ethical sourcing, and empower consumers to choose chocolate that aligns with their values.
“Consumers deserve to enjoy their chocolate without the bitter aftertaste of exploitation. The Annual Chocolate Scorecard empowers shoppers to make informed choices and demand better from the industry,” said Reid Maki, Director of the Child Labor Coalition. “While we acknowledge progress, the persistence of child labor and lack of transparency from major companies is unacceptable. It’s time for real accountability and action—not just empty promises.”
The Chocolate Scorecard ranks companies based on traceability and transparency across supply chains, whether they pay farmers a living income, make efforts to prevent the use of child labor, take action on climate and deforestation, and eliminate the use of harmful pesticides.
This year’s Annual Chocolate Scorecard highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in the chocolate industry. Mars Wrigley, the maker of Snickers, Twix, and Maltesers, was recognized for its efforts to support women, which helps reduce child labor. On the other hand, Cadbury’s parent company, Mondelēz, received the “Bad Egg” award for refusing to participate, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. While some companies report a drop in child labor, NGOs warn of “cocoa washing,” where progress is exaggerated.
“Consumers are being asked to swallow record chocolate prices and shrinking products. The least they expect is chocolate free from slavery. The Chocolate Scorecard will help shoppers make smart purchases this Easter,” said Fuzz Kitto, Co-Director at Be Slavery Free. “Chocolate companies love to talk about policies and commitments, but 25 years since they promised to eliminate child labor from the supply chain, it’s time to stop ‘cocoa washing’ and innovate more effective action.”
Overall, this year’s findings have shown improvements in transparency across the industry, with 82% of companies sharing data on child labor, compared to 45% in 2023. Additionally, several companies were recognized for their progress and achievements this year. Dutch Company Tony’s Chocolonely, received the “Good Egg” award for excellence and transparency in the marketplace. USA chocolate manufacturer Beyond Good, gained recognition for using beans from Madagascar and Uganda, receiving the “Good Egg” Award for smaller companies. Finally, US company Mars Inc. received the Gender Award for policies and programs to empower women.
To learn more the official scorecard is available here.
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About the Child Labor Coalition (CLC)
In 1989, NCL helped launch the Child Labor Coalition (CLC) to stamp out the worst forms of child labor and to protect teen workers from health and safety hazards. Today, it is co-chaired by NCL and the American Federation of Teachers and is staffed by NCL. For more information, visit https://stopchildlabor.org/
