Easter is just around the corner, and lots of us are wondering if ethical Easter eggs should be part of the celebration. Ever wondered where your Easter chocolate comes from and how it’s made?  

Around 70% of the cocoa we consume is produced in West Africa. Sadly, the region infamous for using children (some under the age of ten) as workers on farms. Some of these kids are victims of human trafficking, and lots of them are working in dangerous conditions. 

The good news is, there are plenty of chocolate Easter eggs and treats on the market that don’t support child labour.  

In Australia, the demand for ethical, sustainable products is on the rise. Ethical Easter eggs are made from sustainably sourced cocoa, where workers are treated fairly and paid a fair wage. 

As Christians, we believe all humans are valuable and precious to God. It makes sense to ensure that the people who produce our food are treated fairly. By choosing ethical Easter eggs, we can make a positive impact on the lives of these people and promote fairness and justice in our world. 

The average Australian consumes 5.1kg of chocolate every year 

One way to ensure that the Easter eggs we purchase are ethical is to look for certification from organizations such as Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance. These organizations certify products that meet strict standards for sustainability and social responsibility. Many chocolate companies in Australia now offer Easter eggs that are certified by these organizations, making it easier for us to choose ethical eggs and Easter treats. 

Which Easter eggs are more ethical?   

Darrell Lea: Darrell Lea’s entire range of chocolates, Easter eggs and products uses 100% ethically produced cocoa with zero child labour through Cocoa Horizons.  

ALDI: All ALDI exclusive-brand chocolate bars and chocolate confectionary are certified as sustainably sourced by Fairtrade, Fair Trade USA or Rainforest Alliance. We’re proud to say that 100% of our exclusive Moser Roth and Choceur brands of chocolate are made with certified sustainable chocolate. 

Haigh’s uses ethically and sustainably farmed Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa beans, which are sourced from around the world.  

Green & Blacks: The organic chocolate is certified by the Fairtrade Foundation. Green & Blacks were one of the first chocolate companies to be awarded Fairtrade mark back in the early 1990s.  

Coles also has a range of branded Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance/UTZ-certified solid block and Easter chocolates. 

Woolworths: Woolworth branded chocolate blocks are certified by either Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance/UTZ. 

Whittakers Ghanaian cacao beans are 100% Rainforest Alliance-certified and you can find the logo on chocolate that contains these beans. Some blocks with more than 50% cocoa are also vegan (although may contain traces of dairy products from shared equipment). 

Ferrero has 100% independently certified ethically produced cocoa in their chocolate products, from Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and Cocoa Horizons. 

Moving towards more ethical Easter products  

It’s worth noting that Nestle, Mondelez (Cadbury), Mars, Hershey, and Lindt have their own programs in place to make their cocoa supply chains safer and more equitable for everyone. This ethically sourced cocoa may not be used in every product, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.  

Most of the major supermarkets now offer Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance options, so it’s easier than ever to buy ethical Easter eggs. It’s definitely worth checking the individual items you buy to make sure the Easter eggs you buy don’t leave a sour taste in your mouth.  

Easter is at the very centre of the Christian calendar, a time when we reflect on Jesus’ life and his ultimate, redemptive sacrifice.  This Easter when you’re buying Easter eggs, take the extra time to support companies who are doing the right thing and building a safer, more equitable cocoa industry. Let’s make Easter a meaningful time where we reflect on Jesus’ resurrection and celebrate the sacrifice He made for every one of us.   

Do you choose ethical chocolate products for your family? Let us know!
Discover the Easter services and events are happening near you this Easter.