IndexIntroductionChild Labor and Trafficking in the Chocolate IndustryThe Dark Side of ChocolateConclusionReferencesIntroductionNumerous renowned chocolate brands have established themselves in Europe, such as the Italian Ferrero Rocher and the Swiss Lindt. These brands are visible around the world, found in petrol stations, airports and shopping centres, and boast high market values ​​and annual profits due to their cost-effective supply. The limited supply of cocoa beans may result from the low cost of plantations and labor in African nations. The documentary The Dark Side of Chocolate sheds light on the child labor and trafficking that occurs in Côte d'Ivoire, without the knowledge of both the Côte d'Ivoire government and European companies. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Child Labor and Trafficking in the Chocolate Industry In my opinion, the persistence of this problem in the chocolate industry, despite its exposure through the media, is attributed to the apathy of most people in the Western world towards the living conditions of African children. Capitalists remain indifferent, focusing exclusively on their own interests, while consumers are unable to effect change. As stated in the film by the owner of the cocoa factory, the absence of chocolate would be catastrophic. Where there is chocolate, there is also child labor and smuggling. Research indicates an average of 4.5 children per African woman, often due to limited contraception. Driven by poverty and the inability to afford education, these children, some as young as 10, are forced to work. Young children lack the ability to distinguish right from wrong, making them easy targets for traffickers who sell them to cocoa plantations for as little as 230 euros. Once taken across the border, they lose communication, are not paid and are deprived of the ability to return home. Inadequate law enforcement in Africa and the inaccessibility of national organizations leave their rights unprotected. Therefore, despite the media exposure, the Ivory Coast government and the chocolate industry capitalists turn a blind eye, refusing to make a change. The Dark Side of Chocolate After watching this documentary, I now understand the journey of a chocolate bar from Africa to Africa. a vending machine on the Fanshawe campus. Human trafficking is not exclusive to Africa but is prevalent in South America, even Canada. Examples of “slaves” are evident in the coffee bean plantations of South America, in pharmaceutical factories in Central America and Southeast Asia, and in coal mines in China. According to research by the Public Safety Canada website, Canada faces sexual exploitation as a primary form of human trafficking. However, the food industry witnesses the most human trafficking due to reduced labor costs. Illegally exploited workers experience unpaid work and unfair treatment, facilitated by the globalization of the food industry. Western nations purchase raw materials from Third World countries to cut expenses. For example, cocoa beans from Ivory Coast are sold for 1 euro per kilogram. These profit-driven Third World countries engage in illegal cost cutting, including the purchasing of child labor. Government complicity often stems from national poverty, with influential individuals involved in the industry within the