12 ORGANIC & FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE BRANDS FOR AN ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE TREAT

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This blog post is all about organic and fair trade chocolate brands!

It is estimated that on average, Americans ate about 8.16 pounds (or 3.7 kg) of chocolate per person in 2024.

The numbers cannot lie.

Most of us love chocolate and we consume a lot of it. 

However, not all chocolate is created equal. 

Some types of chocolate are healthier than others.

Also, some are ethically and sustainably made, while others aren’t. 

If you want to make a better choice for you, the planet, and the farmers without giving up chocolate altogether, read on! 

In this article, I’ve rounded up 12 organic and fair trade chocolate brands.

These make delicious treats that are both sustainably and ethically made!

This blog post contains affiliate links which means that if you buy something through such links, I will get a small commission without any extra cost for you. Please read my Disclosure for more details. 

What is fair trade chocolate?

Fair trade chocolate is chocolate that is produced ethically and sustainably. 

More precisely, when you buy fair trade chocolate, you know that the cocoa farmers are paid fair and consistent compensation in exchange for their work, ensuring they can provide for their families.  

They’re also guaranteed a minimum price for their cocoa, which acts as a safety net when prices on the market are low.

What’s more, these farmers are provided with healthy and safe working conditions, and the product we buy is fully traceable. 

Fair trade standards also prohibit child and forced labor and encourage sustainable farming practices like limited pesticide use. 

Another great thing is that a percentage of the premium we pay goes directly towards community development projects in developing countries. 

In short, when we buy fair trade chocolate, we are supporting the livelihoods of farmers, their communities, and the planet. 

Why is fair trade chocolate important?

There are many reasons why buying fair trade chocolate is good!

But one of the most important ones in my book is to ensure there is no exploitation and child labor in the supply chain. 

About 70% of the world’s cocoa beans are grown in West Africa, more precisely in Ghana and Ivory Coast.

And the sad reality is that over two million West African children work in that industry. 

Exploitation and child labor are extremely common! 

Those children are forced to work long hours (sometimes up to 14 hours per day), are exposed to harmful agricultural chemicals, do a lot of heavy lifting, and use dangerous tools.

They also often do not attend school and lack access to clean water, sanitation, and nutritious food. 

Not only that but, outside the fair trade system, farmers aren’t guaranteed a minimal price and can struggle to provide for their families. 

Plus, pesticide and insecticide use is very common in the cocoa industry.

This has a massive environmental impact besides putting the farmers’ health at risk!

When we buy fair trade chocolate, we ensure we aren’t supporting those unethical and unsustainable practices. 

What about organic chocolate? Is it worth buying organic chocolate?

Buying organic chocolate is another way we can guarantee our chocolate cravings aren’t negatively impacting workers and the environment. 

Organic chocolate is made with ingredients grown without the use of toxic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers.

The farmers grow their cocoa using sustainable farming practices and manage pests and weeds using natural methods. 

The way they grow it helps create healthy soils and ecosystems and supports wildlife and the climate. 

Not only that but since it’s grown naturally and without harmful chemicals, organic chocolate is also better for our health.  

Plus, it’s typically made with cocoa beans that aren’t GMOs and are processed without artificial additives. 

And organic farming usually supports fair labor practices! 

What should you look for when buying organic & Fair Trade chocolate? 

If you want to buy organic or fair trade chocolate, try to buy from brands that received reputable, third-party certifications such as:

• USDA Organic (for the USA)
• EU Organic (for the European Union)
• Fairtrade International 
• Fair Trade USA
• Fair For Life 

The brand you’re buying from might also be a member of the Fair Trade Federation or the World Fair Trade Organization. 

Another great certification you may want to look for is Rainforest Alliance.

Although this certification doesn’t guarantee fair trade standards in the traditional sense, it promotes ethical labor practices and environmental sustainability. 

I also recommend the following types of chocolate:

• Non-GMO Verified: to ensure it’s not made with Genetically Modified Organisms
• Single-origin chocolate: it’s produced from cocoa beans that come from one specific country/region/farm. Single-origin chocolate is usually of better quality, made in smaller batches, and traceable (which is important for ethical sourcing). 
• Direct trade chocolate: here, the cocoa beans are sourced through a direct relationship between the brand and the farmers, so there is no intermediary. As a result, the brand knows where its cocoa comes from and can provide farmers with fair compensation. 

One thing to keep in mind though is that just because a brand isn’t certified, it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t follow fair trade principles or organic farming practices. 

However, in this article, I’ve selected brands that carry certifications to make sure they are committed to ethical sourcing and sustainability.

Also, many of these have multiple certifications, which I really like!

12 organic & fair trade chocolate brands for an ethical & sustainable treat 

1. Taza

Categories: Bars, Chocolate Discs, Snacks, Bark, Hot Chocolate, Baking Chocolate, Gifts 

Highlights: USDA Organic, Direct Trade, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free 

Taza is one of my favorite ethical chocolate brands!

It offers everything from chocolate bars and snacks to baking chocolate and gift boxes and offers many flavor combinations. 

The company sources its cocoa directly from farmers who are committed to sustainability and ethical working conditions, and it pays them a premium that’s above the Fair Trade price. 

Taza makes its chocolate goodies in its factory in Massachusetts focusing on minimal processing.

It also uses traditional Mexican stone mills to grind the cocoa, which helps preserve the bold fruity flavors of the beans. 

No matter which treats you opt for, the brand’s chocolate is certified USDA Organic and Direct Trade and doesn’t contain gluten, soy, or dairy. 

2. Public Goods

Categories: Bars, Snacks, Hot Cocoa Mix

Highlights: Organic, Fair Trade, Gluten-Free 

Public Goods sells different chocolate bars and snack bars as well as hot cocoa mixes and delicious snacks like chocolate almonds. 

The brand’s Organic Assorted Ayurvedic Dark Chocolate Bars are healthier than your average chocolate! 

These are made with ethically sourced, Fair Trade cacao, sweetened with honey (no refined sugar here!), and packed with Ayurvedic superfoods. 

They come in five unique flavors, including raspberry, sea salt, and orange. 

The brand also has vegan organic chocolate coconut cookies made with all-organic ingredients.

These contain Himalayan salt, making them a perfectly balanced salty sweet snack for your dessert or morning coffee!

3. Unreal

Categories: Chocolate Butter Cups, Bars, Snacks

Highlights: Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, Vegan

Unreal has a great selection of chocolate snacks such as dark chocolate peanut and almond butter cups, chocolate-covered pretzels and almonds, and snack bars. 

It also sells chocolate “gems”, which are roasted peanuts covered with chocolate and colored with natural ingredients like beet juice and spirulina (no artificial dyes!). 

All Unreal products use Fair Trade-certified chocolate, and the company only uses non-GMO ingredients.

While it’s not certified organic, many of its ingredients are. 

These treats are made in the USA and Canada, and there are many gluten-free and vegan options available. 

4. Dandelion Chocolate

Categories: Gift Boxes, Bars, Truffles, Pralinés, Hot Chocolate, Snacks, Baked Goods, Small Treats 

Highlights: Single Origin, Fair Trade, Organic 

If you’re looking for a beautiful gift box with chocolate assortments to give to your loved ones, look no further than Dandelion Chocolate.

Of course, the brand also has chocolate bars, truffles, hot chocolate, and much more.  

It even creates chocolate-covered nibs, citrus batons, freshly baked chocolate pastries, and macarons! 

The brand truly sets itself apart from others by making single-origin chocolate.

It means that the cocoa beans are sourced from a producer in a specific location. 

Its products are also made with only two ingredients: ethically sourced, well-fermented, and carefully roasted beans and organic cane sugar. 

Plus, the sugar comes from a plantation in Brazil that is certified Fair Trade and organic and implements sustainable practices!  

5. Justin’s

Categories: Chocolate-Covered Nut Butter Cups, Chocolate Candies 

Highlights: USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free

Justin’s crafts organic chocolate confections such as chocolate-covered peanut, almond, and cashew butter cups and candies. 

You can buy peanut butter cups covered in super dark, white, milk, or crispy chocolate, so there’s something for everyone! 

Justin’s only uses high-quality, gluten-free ingredients that are certified USDA Organic, Non-GMO, and Rainforest Alliance.

The chocolate candies are also colored with vegetables and fruits and without synthetic colors. 

Not to mention the brand supports hunger relief and pollinator initiatives! 

6. Hu

Categories: Bars, Chocolate Chips, Snacks 

Highlights: Organic, Fair Trade, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO

Hu’s chocolate bars are made with a few simple ingredients: organic & Fair Trade certified cacao and cocoa butter, unrefined organic coconut sugar, sea salt, and organic grass-fed milk (for the milk chocolate bars). 

The brand also offers organic chocolate chips as well as chocolate-covered snacks made with almonds and sea salt or cashews and vanilla beans. 

No matter which you decide to pick, they’re all made with non-GMO ingredients and are free of refined sugar, soy lecithin, palm oil, and gluten. 

7. Raaka

Categories: Bars, Hot Chocolate, Mini Bars, Chocolate Waffle Cone Cookies

Highlights: USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Single Origin, Small Batches, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

Raaka’s chocolate is USDA Organic certified and Non-GMO verified and is completely free of soy, gluten, and dairy.  

The brand offers many dark chocolate bars (in a regular and mini version), hot chocolate, waffle cone cookies, and even vegan milk chocolate. 

They’re all crafted in small batches in the company’s factory in Brooklyn, New York, and made without roasting the cocoa beans.

It means that the chocolate flavor profile is naturally less bitter and often fruity. 

Raaka also makes sure to only use transparently traded, single-origin cacao to ensure traceability!

8. Theo

Categories: Bars, Chocolate Cups, Chocolate Bites, Baking Bars 

Highlights: Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Organic, Vegan, Soy-Free

Theo has a very large selection of milk and dark chocolate bars, available in many different flavors and cocoa percentages.

You’ll be able to get bars flavored with coconut, salted toffee, mint, raspberry, cherry, orange, and more. 

And of course, if you prefer to stick to the basics, the brand has different unfavored, pure chocolate bars as well!

Theo also makes almond and peanut butter cups and dark chocolate coconut bites, which are great snacks for when you’re on the go. 

The brand uses minimal, non-GMO ingredients that are certified organic and fair trade by Fair For Life.

Plus, its bars and treats are free from soy, unnecessary additives, and emulsifiers. 

9. Equal Exchange

Categories: Hot Chocolate & Cocoa, Chocolate Chips, Baking Cocoa, Bars 

Highlights: USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, Small Farmer Grown

Besides selling organic coffee, Equal Exchange offers hot chocolate and cocoa. 

It also has baking cocoa and organic chocolate chips (available in semisweet and bittersweet), as well as milk and dark chocolate bars.

You’ll be able to choose from classic unflavored options and caramel and almond bars. 

Equal Exchange has partnered with small-scale farmer cooperatives from different countries in Latin America to bring us chocolate that is certified USDA Organic and fairly traded. 

10. Endangered Species

Categories: Bars, Chocolate Bites, Chocolate Chips

Highlights: Fairtrade, Organic, Non-GMO, Vegan, Gluten-Free 

Want to eat chocolate while supporting a good cause?

Give Endangered Species chocolate a try!

This ethical chocolate brand donates 10% of its annual profits to support conservation efforts and protect wildlife. 

Not only that but its chocolate bars, bites, and chips are incredibly flavorful! 

Whether you choose a 72% dark chocolate bar infused with espresso beans, one made with sea salt and almonds, or a classic milk chocolate bar, they’re all made with organic, Fairtrade certified, and Non-GMO Verified ingredients. 

Endangered Species chocolate is made in America with premium cocoa beans sourced from Fairtrade farms in West Africa. 

11. Alter Eco

Categories: Bars, Chocolate Truffles, Chocolate Granola 

Highlights: USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, B Corp, Climate-Neutral 

I absolutely love this brand; it’s probably the one I buy from the most regularly!

My favorite chocolate bar from them is the Orange Blackout, and let me tell you, it’s incredibly delicious! 

This brand has everything from classic dark chocolate bars to flavored ones to crunchy versions made with quinoa.

It also sells chocolate truffles and even granola. 

Alter Eco’s chocolate is ethically sourced and sustainably made.

It only contains non-GMO, Fair Trade Certified, and USDA Organic ingredients, and the company uses cocoa butter instead of soy lecithin. 

Plus, Alter Eco carries the Climate-Neutral and B Corp certifications and uses FSC-certified recyclable packaging.

It also prioritizes regenerative agriculture and supports farmer cooperatives. 

12. TCHO

Categories: Gift Boxes, Baking Chocolate & Cocoa, Hot Chocolate, Bars 

Highlights: USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Non-GMO, B Corp, Soy-Free 

TCHO offers great gift boxes filled with fair trade chocolate bars, which are perfect for giving at birthdays!

You can also get the square bars individually, as well as baking chocolate, cocoa nibs and powder, and hot chocolate. 

The brand makes its chocolate products using USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified ingredients.

It also doesn’t use any soy, artificial sweeteners, or GMOs. 

Did I mention that TCHO is B Corp certified? 

Final thoughts on organic & fair trade chocolate brands

I hope you’ve found this article about organic and fair trade chocolate brands helpful and that you could find something to satisfy your cravings. 

Not only are these brands selling delicious chocolate, but it’s also ethically and sustainably made.

It’s a win-win for everyone! 

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Which organic and fair trade chocolate brand have you decided to try? 

Please leave a comment! 

Don’t forget to share this blog post with your friends so they can find sustainable and ethical chocolate too. 

Looking for more non-toxic & sustainable brands? Check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory!

It features conscious brands in various categories, from home goods and furniture to fashion and clean beauty!

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