(no subject)
PLEASE READ
Under the Harkin-Engel Protocol, the use of slavery for the production of chocolate in West Africa (a leading producer) was to end on July 1, 2005. This hasn't happened.
Maybe more know in the UK, but not many do in the US. Unfortunately, much of the chocolate produced globally, that we buy and consume, is made by slaves, many between 12 and 16 years of age in West Africa. 15,000 children from Mali are suspected to be working in the Ivory Coast in this way. You don't have to take my word for it. Here's one of several BBC articles:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1272522.stm
or check out this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X3saJUs8f4
Fortunately, there are alternatives. Fair Trades products, which you can find at this site, http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslvery/goodchocolateproducts.html sell responsibly made products. Some of these are well known products, like Ben and Jerry's, which offers a few responsible products.
Now that you know, please pass the word on. The International Labor Rights Fund is currently engaged in a lawsuit with Nestle. Please do what you feel is right, and be careful of what you buy!