Cape Town, 03 July — On 07 July is World Chocolate Day and global animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS is inviting chocolate lovers to pause and consider the true cost of their favourite treat and how small choices can help build a kinder world for animals and people alike.

Behind the glossy wrappers and tempting flavours, much of the global chocolate industry is built on invisible suffering: from the exploitation of animals in industrial dairy systems to the destruction of forests for palm oil, and the use of child labour in cocoa production. FOUR PAWS is calling on conscious consumers to opt for chocolate that aligns with their values animal-friendly, dairy-free, fair, and sustainably sourced. “Chocolate should be a celebration of joy not a by-product of cruelty or exploitation,” says Fiona Miles, Director at FOUR PAWS South Africa. “On World Chocolate Day, we’re encouraging South Africans to consider their choices and support products that do no harm.”

Traditional chocolate products often contain dairy, sourced from intensive farming systems that subject cows to confined conditions, regular separation from their calves, and repeated pregnancies. As part of its #LiveKinder movement, FOUR PAWS encourages people to make more compassionate food choices ones that consider animal welfare, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Palm oil, another common chocolate ingredient, is a leading cause of deforestation and biodiversity loss, especially in Southeast Asia. Its production devastates habitats of endangered species such as orangutans and sun bears, while accelerating climate change and ecosystem collapse.

“Choosing chocolate that is plant-based, palm-oil-free or RSPO-certified, and ethically traded may seem small, but it’s a powerful step toward a better world,” says Miles. “As consumers, we have more influence than we think.” What Conscious Chocolate Lovers Should Look For:

• Palm-oil-free or made with sustainably certified palm oil (RSPO)
• Dairy-free or vegan chocolate made with oat, coconut, almond or rice milk
• Fairtrade-certified cocoa that ensures no child or forced labour
• Transparent, locally produced chocolate that supports ethical supply chains

These chocolate alternatives are no longer niche they’re widely available in South African supermarkets, cafés, and online stores. FOUR PAWS’ #EatKinder guidelines offer a practical place to start.

This call-to-action is part of FOUR PAWS’ global #LiveKinder campaign a movement that encourages everyday choices rooted in compassion. Whether it's skipping animal-based products or choosing cruelty-free clothing, the campaign asks: what if living kindly was our default? “Compassion doesn’t require perfection just intention,” says Miles. “This World Chocolate Day, we can all choose to live a little kinder. Let that choice be sweet for you, for animals, and for the Earth.”

For more information, please visit our website www.four-paws.org.za  

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