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Article

24 Oct 2017

Author:
Ben Knight, DW News

Germany: Sourcing of key ingredient of Haribo candy linked to modern slavery at plantations in Brazil, documentary shows

Germany's global candymaker Haribo was forced on the defensive on Thursday after a documentary [Markencheck or "Brand Check"] by public broadcaster ARD revealed horrifying conditions for both the animals and humans responsible for the manufacture of key ingredients of the much-loved gummy bears and other Haribo products [which are sold all over the world].

The [documentary] found failures of oversight in the production of carnauba wax and animal gelatin that left some of Brazil's poorest workers...suffering in horrific conditions.

Carnauba wax, which is applied to gummy bears to make them glossy and prevent them from sticking together, is gleaned from the leaves of carnauba palm trees, which only grow in Brazil's northeastern states of Piaui, Ceara, Maranhao, Bahia, and Rio Grande do Norte - among the country's poorest regions... The conditions on the plantations are so poor that the Brazilian police occasionally carry out raids to free the workers. A Brazilian Labor Ministry official said there had been an increasing number of complaints about the carnauba wax industry and that authorities had found many people working in conditions "that could be described as slavery."...

In response to the ARD's documentary, Haribo offered a statement saying that they were not aware of a "violation of our guidelines" but that it would "proactively" pursue the issues with its suppliers. "We are a company that wants to bring joy to children and adults," the statement added. "We can therefore not accept the disregard of social and ethical standards." Haribo pledged to examine conditions along its entire supply chain in an effort to uncover abuses...