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THE DIRT
Easter a time of new life, hot cross buns and CHOCOLATE. The way we choose to consume at Easter impacts more than our waistlines! Read on
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Pesticides and Chocolate;
Cocao trees are designed to grow in shaded, humid rainforests. The constant search for a better bottom line has led to many cocao plantations being positoned in full sun. Although cocao trees are more productive in full sun, they are also more suceptible to disease and insects. For this reason cocoa is one of the most extensively sprayed food crops on earth.
Find out more
Health Risks:
The pesticide lindane is commonly used on cocao crops despite the knowledge that it is both a probable carcinogen and a known endocrine (hormone) disrupter. Lindane is banned in most developed countries, but it it is still in our chocolate.The pesticide action network found that 100% of all conventional chocolate tested contained lindane. Methlyl Bromide, Pyrethrins, Hydrogen Cyanide, Naled and Glyphosphate are also legally allowed in chocolate.
Health Benefits;
Research out from Harvard Uni, just this month indicated that "The health benefits of epicatechin, a compound found in cocoa, are so striking that it may rival penicillin and anaesthesia in terms of importance to public health". Read More
Eco Impact:
Clearance of shade trees greatly reduces biodiversity and increases farmers dependence on a single crop. Increased use of nitrogen based fertilisers made necessary by full-sun systems, leads to; soil erosion, decreased soil fertility, pollution of drinking water and damage to aquatic habitats.
Social Cost:
The Ivory Coast is where 43% of the worlds cocoa is grown. UNICEF has reported children as young as nine, working on these plantations for no pay. Over 284 000 children in West Africa are working in hazardous conditions on cocao plantations. Read about Child slavery in Cocoa.
G SPOT
If saving the world was as simple as changing our brand of chocolate, wouldn't life be easy! The good news is changing your chocolate does make a difference and the more of us doing it the better!
If 10, 000 of us switched to one fairly traded chocolate bar a week we could save around 200 acres of wild forest and jungle. Check out Fair Trade Fast Facts to find out about socially conscientious purchasing.
COME CLEAN
Try these wonderful Organic chocolate companies this Easter - you'll never look back............
Organic Times offers a delicious range of certified organic chocolate products that are also certified Fair Trade by the hand in hand program. Organic Times uses the highest quality organic produce in its products, so whether you like chocolate coated ginger, white chocolate macadamia cookies or a chocolate Easter bunny or egg, Organic Times will have something to tantalize your taste buds. The products are Australian made, so indulge in chocolate with a conscience this Easter.
Mmm is the sound of chocolate greeting the taste buds. But not just any chocolate Artisse Organic chocolate. Artisse Organic chocolate is Certified Organic, Wheat, Gluten and Soya Lecithin free! Available in 3 mouth-watering flavours: Milk, Dark with Almonds & Extra Dark. Also NEW No Added Sugar, Milk & Dark Chocolate now available!
www.artisse.com.au or 1300 55 55 97.
Scarborough Fair have just launched the first 100% Certified Fair Trade Easter Eggs available in Australiasia. Choose from smooth creamy, irresistible milk chocolate and rich velvety, deliciously indulgent dark chocolate. Available in mainstream supermarkets such as Target, Coles, Woolworths and Macro Wholefoods.
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