Leading candy manufacturer Mars Inc. accused of using child labor in CBS investigation
Mars child labor CBS investigation: Key findings, company's response USA TODAY
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Child Labor Allegations Against Mars Incorporated
Mars Incorporated, the company responsible for popular chocolate bars such as M&M’s and Snickers, has been accused of relying on child labor in the harvest of cocoa beans used in their products. Despite their pledge to eradicate child labor in their supply chain by 2025, a CBS News investigation reveals that children as young as 5 years old are working in cocoa fields in Ghana that supply Mars with the beans for their chocolate bars.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 4: Quality Education – Children are not attending school and are instead working in the fields.
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Child labor is being used in the cocoa industry.
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Mars’ use of child labor goes against their pledge to eradicate it.
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The company’s monitoring system to prevent child labor is flawed and inaccurate.
Key Findings in the CBS News Report
The CBS News investigation uncovered several key findings:
- Field supervisors were pressured to provide names of children, without proper verification.
- Only one-third of registered children attended school, as they were working in the fields.
- No follow-up was done to ensure that a girl who received school supplies was actually attending classes.
- Children confirmed that they were not in school and were not being monitored.
Mars’ Response
Mars issued a statement condemning the use of child labor. They expressed their commitment to investigating claims of misconduct and taking appropriate action. The company stated that their cocoa suppliers in Ghana have agreed to adhere to their Supplier Code of Conduct and implement a Child Labor and Remediation System by 2025.
Consumer Fraud Lawsuit
Human rights lawyer Terry Collingsworth has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging consumer fraud against American chocolate companies, including Mars. Collingsworth has collected statements from Ghanaian children working for Mars suppliers, highlighting the discrepancy between the company’s public claims and the reality of child labor in their supply chain.
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