Hershey’s slammed for poor human rights practices

US chocolate giant Hershey’s has been slammed by environmental and human rights organisations for its poor supply chain practices.

Global Exchange, Green America, the International Labor Rights Forum and Oasis USA have criticised the chocolate company for sourcing the majority of its cocoa from West Africa, a region described in a report published by the four organisations as, “plagued by forced labour, human trafficking, and abusive child labour.”

The report, Time to Raise the Bar: The Real Corporate Social Responsibility for the Hershey Company, was published online this Monday. It notes: "The largest global chocolate companies are increasingly purchasing cocoa that is certified to meet certain labour, social and environmental standards. Hershey stands out as a laggard in terms of its supply chain responsibility practices."

Hershey’s chocolates make up 42.5 percent of the US chocolate market, however “lags” behind its competitors Cadbury/Kraft, Mars and Nestle when it comes to its cocoa supply chain practices, according to the report.

Green America Fair Trade Coordinator Elizabeth O'Connell said: "Hershey has been hiding too long behind its image as America's chocolate company and a responsible corporate citizen. It's time for Hershey to raise the bar and ensure that abusive child labour and forced labour are not in their cocoa."


(2010-09-15/foodmagazine)