12 Best Fair Trade Chocolate Brands

Whether on a bag of coffee beans, chocolates, or other foods, you’ve likely seen one of the many Fair Trade symbols on a product label before — but what does “Fair Trade” really mean?

The major international Fair Trade networks define the movement as a commitment to “equity in international trade” by supporting marginalized producers and workers (1).

The aim of Fair Trade certifications is to identify brands that comply with reasonable trade agreements that display a commitment to fair wages and prices, transparency, sustainable practices, ethical working conditions, and no child or forced labor (2). There are a multitude of Fair Trade certifications out there, all with different requirements to determine whether a product meets Fair Trade standards.

Along with coffee, bananas, and cotton, choosing Fair Trade chocolate is highly important. In particular, child labor is a major issue in the production of cocoa (3). According to a report from the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, there are 1.56 million children involved in hazardous work on cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, which produce nearly 60% of the world’s cocoa each year (4).

Child labor shouldn’t be something you’re worried about when shopping for a decadent chocolate to snack on after dinner or dip your strawberries in. We’ve put together a list of Fair Trade Certified chocolate you can trust to align with your values and your diet.

Here are tips for selecting a Fair Trade chocolate, ingredients to be mindful of, and 12 of the top-rated Fair Trade chocolate brands.

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Choosing a Fair Trade Chocolate

Here are the labels to look for when choosing an ethically-sourced chocolate, plus some ingredients to be mindful:

• Fair Trade Certified, Fair for Life, The Fairtrade System, Naturland Fair, or Small Producers’ Symbol. According to the Fair World Project, these are the certifications that require review by a third party to certify that the product complies with Fair Trade standards (5, 6).

• Rainforest Alliance Certified. Although not technically Fair Trade, the Rainforest Alliance Certification requires a similar set of standards to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and fair treatment of workers (7). The primary difference of the Fair Trade certification is that it gives producers a guaranteed minimum price and an additional premium for their products, while Rainforest Alliance focuses on helping farmers become more self-sufficient and resilient in their farming and business practices (8).

• Artificial flavors. Artificial flavors are chemically designed to taste similar to flavors found in nature. Though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed artificial flavors as safe, this is hotly debated. For one, studies on their safety are limited. Additionally, some question the integrity of existing studies, as they’re often conducted by the flavor manufacturers themselves instead of independent researchers (9).

• Palm oil. Palm oil as a common ingredient in chocolate, especially varieties made with nougat, peanut butter, and other fillings. The palm oil industry has raised numerous ethical concerns due to ongoing human rights issues and unsustainable production practices, including extensive deforestation (10, 11).

• Added sugar. As its a sweet treat, most chocolate contains added sugar. However, some types of chocolate contain more added sugar than others. As it contains a higher percentage of cocoa, there is typically less added sugar in dark chocolate. In contrast, milk chocolate, white chocolate, and those with fillings such as caramel are going to contain higher amounts of added sugar. Keep in mind, the American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to around 6-9 teaspoons (25-36 grams) per day for general health (12).

Like almost all candy and other sweet indulgences, our top-rated fair trade chocolates contain some added sugar to deliver the decadent flavor we want and love in any chocolate. However, they are all free of artificial colors and flavors.

What’s more, they bare a Fair Trade seal to provide you with the transparency and accountability you’re looking for in any internationally sourced product.

1. Simple Truth Organic Sea Salt 70 % Cacao Dark Chocolate

Simple Truth Organic Sea Salt Dark Chocolate is Fair Trade Certified.

2. Theo Chocolate Organic Ginger 70 % Dark Bar

Theo Organic Ginger Dark Chocolate Bar is Fair For Life certified.

3. Alter Eco Sea Salt Deep Dark Organic Chocolate

Alter Eco Organic Sea Salt Deep Dark Chocolate is Fair Trade Certified.

4. Tcho Organic Hazelnut Chunk Chocolate Bar

Tcho Organic Hazelnut Chunk Chocolate Bar is Fair Trade Certified.

5. Lily’s Chocolate Dark Crispy Rice Bar

Lily’s Crispy Rice Dark Chocolate Bar is certified Fair Trade by Fairtrade America.

6. Green & Black’s Organic Almond Milk Chocolate Bar

Green & Black’s Organic Almond Milk Chocolate Bar is certified Fair Trade by Fairtrade America.

7. Prana Organic Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bark

Prana Organic Dark Chocolate Almond Sea Salt Bark is certified Fair Trade by Fairtrade America.

8. Unreal Candy Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Unreal Candy Crispy Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups is Fair Trade Certified.

9. Simple Truth Organic Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans

Simple Truth Organic Dark Chocolate Espresso Beans are Fair Trade Certified.

10. Whole Foods Market 32 % Cacao Milk Chocolate Madagascar

Whole Foods Market Madagascar Milk Chocolate is certified Fair Trade by Fairtrade America.

11. Wild Ophelia Sea Salt & Caramel Latte Cold Brew Coffee Bites

Wild Ophelia Sea Salt & Caramel Latte Cold Brew Coffee Bites are Fair Trade Certified.

12.

Vosges Black Salt Coconut Nib Caramel Marshmallows are Fair Trade Certified.

Key takeaways for choosing fair trade chocolate

When faced with dozens of chocolate products to choose from at the grocery store, we want you to know exactly what to look for. To find a Fair Trade chocolate you can trust, look for labels that require third-party certification, such as Fair Trade Certified, Fair for Life, The Fairtrade System, Naturland Fair, and Small Producers’ Symbol. Another common ingredient to be mindful of is palm oil, which also poses human rights and environmental concerns.

Additionally, if you’re concerned about the presence of artificial flavors commonly found in chocolate products, GreenChoice is an easy way to find products without these ingredients.  If you’re looking for a product that’s lower in added sugar, opt for a dark chocolate variety over milk chocolate, white chocolate, and those with fillings.

There are 1,000s of food products that won’t be right for you

Let GreenChoice find the ones that are

Tell us your dietary needs & values and we’ll show you foods that match!

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GreenChoice, PBC has evaluated and rated more than 340,000 food & beverage products across hundreds of attributes related to diet, health, and sustainability. Easily find the best products for you, the planet, & your budget. Download the free GreenChoice app for Apple iO or Android!

Sydney W

View all posts by Sydney W

Makayla Meixner, MS, RDN

View all posts by Makayla Meixner, MS, RDN