About Cocoa > Why Use Organic Cocoa

Cocoa is grown in tropical countries on small family farms. Entire families, including small children work on these farms. Often the workers are not educated and do not use any protective devices to guard against the deadly chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Some of the chemicals they use are even banned in USA and other industrialized countries, but they find an easy market in poor, tropical nations. The chemicals play havoc on the natural balance of the environment as well, including the soil, the habitat and overall ecosystem. How much of these chemicals find their way into our own bodies as consumers and what the effect these chemicals may have on our health is a subject of great debate.

For the health of the farmers and their families, the environment, and the consumers, it is thus best to use organic and sustainable products wherever possible.

Look for the USDA Organic seal to make sure the product is USDA certified.