Ferrero Rocher and chocolate spread Nutella could be taken off supermarket shelves over allegations the products depend on child labor.
The hazelnuts that make Ferrero Rocher, Nutella, Kinder Surprise and Bueno chocolates are picked by children and immigrants in Turkey.
Turkey is home to over 400,000 family-owned hazelnut orchards where kids work up to ten hours a day for $25, according to a report by BBC.
Woolworths just confirmed that the supermarket is looking into the allegations.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of these reports and have contacted the supplier for further information on its response to the matter.”
Kazim Yaman co-owns an orchard in the European country and said he is against child labor. However, there’s not much he can do when parents force their children to work.
He said to BBC: “I am trying not to make them work… The mother and father want them to work – and to be paid.”
Italian chocolatier Ferrero purchases a third of hazelnut crops from Turkey. The company has a traceability plan for 100% of hazelnuts by 2020.
Their website reads: “Traceability is essential to ensure the quality standards of production and products.”
In a statement obtained by 10Daily, the company said: “Being a larger hazelnut user, Ferrero is committed to contributing to influencing and driving sustainable changes in the hazelnut production sector.
“This includes combating child labour with a multi-stakeholder approach that involves a combination of different measures, as in our Ferrero Farming Values Program (FFV).
“In fact, the complexity of the hazelnut supply chain means it cannot be transformed by one single actor, and cooperation is absolutely essential to tackling the issue of child labour.”
Hazelnut traders Osman Cakmak and Enginay Akcay sell directly to Ferrero.
Mr. Akcay said to BBC: “It has nothing to do with us, child labour. The control and the monitoring belongs to the state and the security forces.”
Mr. Cakmak said: “I buy, I sell. At that moment, it’s impossible for the tons of hazelnuts to be monitored.”
What’s your take on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this with your friends and family!
Recommended Video For You! :)
“A Man Tosses A Treat At An Orangutan. What Happens Next Has Everyone Laughing In Disbelief!”
[rumble video_id=vda1p domain_id=u7nb2]