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The chocolate and cocoas are organic. What does that mean? |
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The ingredients that go into our chocolate bars and cocoas are farmed sustainably, without harmful pesticides or fertilizers. This is better for farmers, the planet, and for your body.
- In the IITA study of child labor in the African cocoa industry, a serious concern was raised over the common practice of adults, laborers and children applying toxic pesticides in a potentially dangerous manner. Elsewhere it has been noted that safety equipment (gloves, respirators, etc.) is rarely used on African cocoa farms or made available to laborers. Our farmer partners do not use these toxic pesticides.
- Equal Exchange's organic cocoa is cultivated on small plots, and usually under a shade canopy that preserves critical elements of the native Dominican, Panamanian, and Peruvian forests. Biologists have determined that this gentle, chemical free method of farming helps to maintain biodiversity and protect the winter habitat of millions of migratory song birds. For related information, see The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center website.
- As a certified organic food, none of our ingredients are genetically modified. Organic certification also ensures that the milk powder is free of rBGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone), an artificial hormone that is often given to cows to increase their milk production.
- Sustainable farming helps fight climate change. Many studies, including one from the United Nations, have documented how conventional (non-organic) farming contributes up to 25% all greenhouse gases from human activity. In contrast, organic agriculture not only emits very few greenhouse gases it can actually pull CO2 out of the atmosphere.
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