April 10, 2009
Additionally, let's remember that Mars' plan will not cover their entire supply chain until 2020 -- even though ILRF and many other organizations have been calling on Mars to commit to Fair Trade since 2001. However, it is interesting to note that ILRF's report on the cocoa industry released last July called on chocolate companies to work with certification agencies like Rainforest Alliance to strengthen labor standards. We hope that Rainforest Alliance will strengthen their labor rights standards and monitoring. You can check out a press release from ILRF and the Organic Consumers Association here.
Comments
re: Responding to Mars, Inc.'s Sustainability Announcement
It's so interesting to note how the big corporations will try and do the least they can to change once some pressure is put on them. We all need to continue the pressure to say that if we are going to consume their products, we want them to be produced in an ethical manner!
re: Responding to Mars, Inc.'s Sustainability Announcement
Is there a list that can be sent out telling us what companies are "safe" to buy from and why? I am trying to let my friends know, but there is not much information out there.
re: Responding to Mars, Inc.'s Sustainability Announcement
Stephanie: ILRF has a chocolate company scorecard that ranks chocolate companies based on their ethical standards. You can check it out here: http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/cocoa-campaign/resources/10796. I hope it's a useful start!
There's also a joint statement signed by 60 organizations and chocolate companies called the "Commitment to Ethical Cocoa Sourcing." Companies on that list have also agreed to higher standards: http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/cocoa-campaign/resources/10656