The UK-based non-profit Ethical Consumers surveyed 82 chocolate companies and found that only 17 used chocolate from the best companies that would ensure adequate profits for cocoa growers. According to Ethical Consumers, only a handful of branded chocolate companies are willing to use chocolate made in the country of origin of cocoa rather than chocolate made with imported cocoa beans. In response, a spokesperson for Nestlé said that the assessment of the Ethical Consumer group does not reveal all the details of its work.
The results of this survey have aroused concern and discussion from all walks of life. As a popular snack, there is a lot of concern about the ethics and sustainability of chocolate in its production. The production of cocoa beans usually occurs in some developing countries, and the problems of high fluctuations in cocoa beans and low incomes of growers have been plaguing all links in the industrial chain. Against this backdrop, the willingness of chocolate companies to use chocolate from the best suppliers that ensure adequate profitability for cocoa growers has become a topic of great concern.
According to the results of a survey by Ethical Consumers, only a handful of chocolate companies are willing to use such chocolate. This has drawn attention to the chocolate industry chain. As a popular snack, there is a lot of concern about the ethics and sustainability of chocolate in its production. The production of cocoa beans usually occurs in some developing countries, and the problems of high fluctuations in cocoa beans and low incomes of growers have been plaguing all links in the industrial chain. Against this backdrop, the willingness of chocolate companies to use chocolate from the best suppliers that ensure adequate profitability for cocoa growers has become a topic of great concern.
The results of this survey have aroused concern and discussion from all walks of life. Some argue that chocolate companies should pay more attention to sustainability and social responsibility, and be willing to use chocolate that ensures that cocoa growers receive sufficient profits, which is not only good for the livelihood of cocoa farmers, but also for the sustainable development of the entire value chain. However, there are also those who are skeptical, arguing that chocolate companies' business decisions should be based on market demand and profits, and should not be swayed by ethics and social responsibility.
Against this backdrop, a Nestlé spokesperson questioned the Ethical Consumer's assessment. He stated that such an assessment did not capture the full details of his work, suggesting that the findings might be partial and incomplete. This response sparked more controversy and discussion. Some supported Nestlé's response, arguing that the Ethical Consumer's survey may have a degree of subjectivity and one-sidedness, and does not fully reflect the true picture of the chocolate value chain. Others argue that, regardless of whether the findings are completely accurate or not, chocolate companies should pay more attention to sustainability and social responsibility, and be willing to use chocolate that ensures adequate revenue for cocoa growers.
In addition to the findings of the Ethical Consumer, other issues in the chocolate value chain are also in the spotlight. For example, some chocolate companies have been exposed to the problem of using child labor and improper labor, which has also aroused widespread concern and condemnation in society. These problems in the chocolate industry chain highlight the challenges and problems faced by the chocolate industry in terms of sustainable development and social responsibility.
In the face of these challenges and problems, how should chocolate companies respond?First of all, chocolate companies should pay more attention to sustainability and social responsibility, and be willing to use chocolate that ensures that cocoa growers get enough money. This is not only good for the livelihood of cocoa farmers, but also for the sustainable development of the entire value chain. Secondly, chocolate companies should strengthen the supervision and management of the industrial chain to eliminate the use of child labor and improper labor. Only through such efforts can the chocolate chain be made healthier and more sustainable.
In addition to the efforts of the chocolate companies themselves, non-governmental organizations and consumers should also play an active role. **The supervision of the chocolate industry chain should be strengthened to promote the sustainable development and social responsibility of the industry chain. Non-leading organizations and consumers can also promote chocolate companies to pay more attention to sustainable development and social responsibility through supervision and pressure, and promote the healthy development of the entire industry chain.
In all, the UK-based non-profit Ethical Consumers surveyed 82 chocolate companies and found that only 17 used chocolate from the best companies that would ensure adequate profits for cocoa growers. The results of this survey have aroused the attention and discussion of all sectors of society, highlighting the sustainable development and social responsibility issues in the chocolate industry chain. Chocolate companies should pay more attention to sustainability and social responsibility, be willing to use chocolate that ensures that cocoa farmers get enough profits, and at the same time strengthen the supervision and management of the supply chain. Non-governmental organizations and consumers should also play an active role in jointly promoting the healthy development of the chocolate industry chain. Only through the joint efforts of many parties can we make the chocolate industry chain healthier and more sustainable.