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The scoop: Hershey is accused of avoiding to pay premiums on cocoa deals that would help alleviate farmer poverty.
Hershey versus West Africa: Hershey denies the allegations. The lvory Coast and Ghana, who make up 2/3 of the world's cocoa production, are preventing Hershey from using sustainability schemes in West Africa.
These schemes allow brands to market their product (in this case chocolate) as fair-trade, ethical, etc.
A broader point about corporate sustainability: Hershey's (alleged) loophole attempt is all too common in the age of crony capitalism.
Corporate sustainability seeks long-term profits by aligning business models with healthier environments and more prosperous economies. Working around basic premiums that keep hard-working cocoa farmers out of deep poverty is not a sustainable business model.
Bottom line: West African cocoa regulators are sticking to their guns on this issue. I don't think they're bluffing. Recommendation: avoid Hershey products until they provide a more transparent response.
List of popular Hershey products to avoid this holiday season:
- Hershey's (duh)
- Butterfingers
- Reese's
- Pay Day
- Jolly Rancher
- Twizzler's
- York Peppermint
- Breath Savers
- Ice Breakers
- Heath Bar
- Rolo
- The Whatchamacallit Bar
- Take 5
- Milk Duds
- Mr. Goodbar
- Almond Joy
- Whoppers
- Kit Kat
- Good & Plenty
- Pirate's Booty
- SkinnyPop
- Krave Jerky
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