Why chocolate is not so sweet

2005-02-12 14:37

Washington - US lawmaker Eliot Engel called on Friday for a boycott of Valentine's Day chocolate gifts, saying such chocolates are likely made with cocoa picked by child slaves in West African nations such as the Ivory Coast.

"The chocolate you buy this Valentine's Day for your loved ones is probably made with cocoa picked by child slaves in West Africa," the New York representative said in a statement.

"In places like the Ivory Coast, child slaves who live in squalor are forced to pick cocoa that chocolate companies around the world make into the candy you buy.

"On this Valentine's Day, I will not buy chocolate and I encourage all Americans to consider joining me in sending a message to the chocolate industry that they have to clean up their act," Engel said.

An amendment proposed by Engel, setting aside $250 000 dollars for the Food and Drug Administration to create a label requirement on products to show no child labour was involved, was passed in June 2001.

The chocolate industry agreed to the Harkin-Engel Protocol.

But, "sadly the industry seems to be backing away from their promise to end child slave labour in favour of increased profits," said Engel.

"I'm calling on the chocolate industry to do the right thing and meet their commitments," he said, calling for an end to the use of child slave labour, and warning that further legislation might be required.

- AFP