If you’re on the lookout for the perfect ethical vegan chocolates to indulge in, there are a few things to keep in mind. Unfortunately, just because a chocolate bar contains no animal products, it doesn’t always mean it was produced ethically. A few problems, such as a lack of sustainability or the use of child labor (or even slave labor), may weigh into the factors that will determine just how ethically your vegan chocolates were made.

Child Labor in The Chocolate Industry

You may have heard that a large amount of the world's cocoa bean supply comes from West Africa. However, you may not be aware of the practices used to cultivate this popular crop. Most of the world's most successful chocolate brands work with cacao bean farmers who employ or even enslave young children, forcing them to work with sharp and dangerous tools like chainsaws and machetes, deal with toxic chemicals without proper protective gear, and even miss out on their education. These forms of child labor allows costs to stay low, at the expense of these children's safety and future.

Even a few brands that boast “Fair Trade” certifications have been found guilty of being involved in these practices. This means that we, as consumers, need to be extra careful about this issue in order to ensure we are supporting vegan chocolate brands that value their employees and partners, by providing them with fair wages and safe working conditions.

Deforestation Caused by The Cocoa Industry

West African forests have also suffered at the hands of the cocoa industry. In fact, since the 1960s-70s, the Ivory Coast has lost 80% of its forests — 70% were considered protected areas. Cocoa has been a large contributor to this issue. In fact, at least 30% of the cocoa supply from the Ivory Coast is harvested in protected forests.

What to Look For

Now that you're properly briefed on the main issues plaguing our delicious vegan chocolates, here are some certifications you can look out for to ensure those behind your truffles, coins, or bars are not harming our planet or enslaving innocent children, or using any dairy ingredients:

Certified Vegan by Vegan.org

This logo is used to help you identify products that were made without animal derivatives or byproducts. It also excludes products that have been tested on animals. So, you can use it as an indicator for cruelty-free and vegan chocolate bars. Although a product does not necessarily need to display this label to be considered vegan, it is a big help to new vegans, and to those who don't want to check every label to be sure. In short, if your chocolate is Certified Vegan, you can shop with confidence knowing no animals were harmed!

Fair Trade Certification

As mentioned above, there have been a few “Fair Trade” brands that have been found guilty of violating child labor laws. However, this certification is still one of the only tools we have as consumers to be more confident in the fair trade vegan chocolate brands we support.

USDA Organic Label

This label is a good indicator that your vegan chocolate bars were not produced with toxic pesticides or insecticides, which are killing bees and harming our planet. In fact, it’s a good rule of thumb to strive toward all-organic foods in general.

Rainforest Alliance

This organization works toward supporting farmers by training them to adopt sustainable methods of agriculture that aid in conservation efforts, and secure a living wage/fair working conditions for their employees.

Top Vegan, Fair Trade Chocolate Brands To Look For

Now that we know what to look for when purchasing vegan chocolate, it's time to take a look at some of the brands that really stood out to us. These fair trade vegan chocolate brands are some of the most trustworthy when it comes to working toward a sustainable, ethical future for their partners' employees and our planet.

Alter Eco

Alter Eco's collection of organic, fair trade vegan chocolate bars are widely available at supermarkets, health food stores, and even online. Not only are they avoiding harmful practices for our planet and their employees, but they are also actively working toward improving these issues through their forest preservation, dynamic agroforestry, and mutually beneficial programs. For a yummy animal-free treat, avoid their truffles, grass-fed milk, and any other dairy-containing products.

Shop On:

ChocZero

If what you need is some gluten free, sugar free, and fair trade vegan chocolate candy, ChocZero has you covered. Just make sure to avoid their milk and white chocolates, as well as their chocolate hazelnut spread. Instead, go for their dark chocolate varieties. Made with their special monk-fruit formula, these keto-friendly treats are just as decadent as conventional chocolates! Ready to sink your teeth into some ChocZero? Find your new favorite here.

Shop On:

Eating Evolved

Organic, fair trade, vegan dark chocolates, anyone? Not only are Eating Evolved's vegan chocolate bars all 100% plant-based, they are gluten-free, contain no refined sugar or artificial ingredients, and are almost all paleo-friendly! Take care of your body and our planet by getting your hands on one of these totally ethical vegan chocolate bars today! Choose your flavor here!

Shop On:

Lulu’s Chocolates

Another entirely vegan brand, Lulu's Chocolates stemmed from the founder's deep love for cocoa and her need for sugar-free alternatives. After trying raw cacao in Hawaii, Lulu was inspired to show the world that organic vegan dark chocolate, in a purer form, is an incredibly healthy and guilt-free treat. That's why all of her fair trade vegan chocolates are also gluten free, soy free, and made with organic ingredients! Check them out here.

Shop On:

Vego

Looking for a delicious fair trade vegan milk chocolate bar, that's also organic, gluten free, and does NOT use palm oil? You've come to the right place. Award-winning Vego bars, created in Germany, are finally available in Canada and the U.S. You can even find them in the whole hazelnut chocolate, nuts & berries, or vegan white chocolate bar varieties online! Made from the finest Italian chocolate and hazelnuts, this bar is one you won't want to miss!

Shop On:

YES Cacao

This organic, wild-harvested chocolate is infused with adaptogens and super herbs! For a truly outstanding vegan dark chocolate bar that is sure to boost your mood and keep you focused, you're going to want to go with YES Cacao's delicious treats! Not to mention, their delicious chocolates are all organic, fair trade, and entirely vegan!

Shop On:

H!P Chocolate

Made with oat milk instead of dairy, these creamy vegan chocolate bars are described as 'slavery-free chocolate.' Plus, their packaging is plastic-free, and their cacao is sourced from a single origin! With unique flavors like White Berry Crunch, Salted Honeycomb (vegan), Salty Pretzel, Cookies No Cream, and more, you're sure to find your new favorite candy bar through this ethical vegan chocolate brand!

Shop on:

Ready to indulge in some chocolatey goodness? Let us know which brand stood out to you in the comments below! Thank you for choosing ethical vegan products, and caring for our planet and the sentient beings residing in it!

More About Vegan Chocolates