The Dark Side of Chocolate - Trailer

'The Dark Side of Chocolate' is a documentary about the continued allegations of trafficking of children and child labor in the international chocolate industry.

While we enjoy the sweet taste of chocolate, the reality is strikingly different for African children.

In 2001 consumers around the world were outraged to discover that child labor and slavery, trafficking, and other abuses existed on
cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast, a country that produces nearly half the world's cocoa. An avalanche of negative publicity and consumer
demands for answers and solutions soon followed.

Two members of US Congress, Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa and Representative Eliot Engel of New York, tackled the issue by adding a rider to an agricultural bill proposing a federal system to certify and label chocolate products as "slave free".

The measure passed the House of Representatives and created a potential disaster for Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland Mars, Hershey's, Nestle, Barry Callebaut, Saf-Cacao and other chocolate manufacturers. To avoid legislation that would have forced chocolate companies to label their products with "no child labor" labels (for which many major chocolate manufacturers wouldn't qualify), the industry fought back and finally agreed to a voluntary protocol to end abusive and forced child labor on cocoa farms by 2005.

The chocolate industry fought back. Ultimately, a compromise was reached to end child labor on Ivory Coast cocoa farms by 2005.

In 2005 the cocoa industry failed to comply with the protocol's terms, and a new deadline for 2008 was established.

In 2008 the terms of the protocol were still not met, and yet another deadline for 2010 was set.

And in 2010?

Almost a decade after the chocolate companies, concerned governments and specially foundations spent millions of dollars in an effort to eradicate child labor and trafficking in the international cocoa
trade, has anything changed?

Miki Mistrati and U Roberto Romano launch a behind-the-scenes investigation and verify if these allegations of child labor in the chocolate industry are present today.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• traffickking
• slavery
• cocoa production
• child labour
• Freedom project
• CNN
• chocolate
• 2011
• Gold
• World
• Medal
• New York Festivals
• dark side of chocolate
• Andreas Birch
• Miki Mistrati

[AndreasBirch]

it depends on where you live. it has been broadcasted in several countries

[SSweetNessTouchesU]

incredible documentary!! it seems that no matter how we develop ...in certain domains,  we, the human race.. still remain barbarians..

[apezwijn]

Already in the beginning you know the white people are lying about not knowing there's child labour cos when the interviewer tells about their remours their reaction is denying instead of HEY OH REALLY? IM GONNA CHECK IT OUT and do something about it. Which would be a normal reaction.

srry for my lazy late night bad english.

[madiabate]

Maybe if the buyer didn't rip the farmers so much.. they would have enough money to put their children thru schools.. there is a cause and effects to everything.. It's sad that this going on in my country.

[BillAlfonso]

what the fuck I didnt see my brand in that video, how do I know im supporting al qeda and frickin cults that steal children like gypsies?

[NoviLunar]

It is sad to me that videos like this have gotten so few views compared to other stuff like cat videos, music, and movie/TV clips.

[NoviLunar]

@417VEGAN You don't have to stop eating all of it, just buy from companies that don't buy from Ivory Coast. There are lists on the Internet, but anything labeled Fair Trade or organic is safe.

[pvanrhee]

Not all chocolate companies are like this. Our company, like several others in the industry, use fair labor. We also buy exclusively from many smaller farms, yes, paying a higher price, but also getting a better cacao, with higher antioxidants, and also the good feeling knowing we're doing the right thing.

[brad11003]

I wanna say F U humanity.. you left nothing unspoiled with your greed and ignorance.