The admission of Huel and Pleese to chocolatier Tony’s Chocolonely’s Open Chain initiative marks the first UK companies to sign on to the cocoa purchasing programme.

The companies have joined up with a partnership seeking to “revolutionise” cocoa sourcing practices by purchasing beans with the aim of supporting farmers to earn a living income, eradicating illegal labour and preventing deforestation.

....The programme provides “mission allies” with access to the necessary knowledge and tools to eliminate child labour and modern slavery in their cocoa supply chains. 

Cheesecake producer Pleese (formerly Pleesecakes) is the first UK company to become a “mission ally”, and has new products in development which will purchase cocoa according to Tony’s ethical sourcing practices.

Meal replacement maker Huel followed Pleese to become the second company to join the initiative, and will now source all cocoa in its range according to Tony’s sourcing principles. Tony’s estimated this means in one year, an additional 300 tonnes of cocoa will have been sourced ethically and sustainably from Ghana and Côte D’Ivoire.

Tony’s Open Chain has already partnered with food brands including Ben & Jerry’s and Aldi.

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