Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Criticism over continued Russian operations
Barry Callebaut was placed on a Ukrainian list of international sponsors of war because it continued operating three factories in Russia and its products were reportedly used in Russian military dry rations.
2022
Salmonella contamination at Wieze plant
Salmonella was detected in a chocolate batch at the Wieze facility. The source was traced to a soy-lecithin tanker delivery, and the plant underwent cleaning before production resumed in stages.
2021
Child labor and forced labor lawsuit
Eight former child slaves from Mali filed a class-action lawsuit naming Barry Callebaut and other chocolate companies, alleging assistance in or benefit from forced labor on cocoa plantations in Côte d’Ivoire.
2018
Criticism of limited progress on deforestation
A follow-up report by Mighty Earth argued that the company and other cocoa-sector signatories had made little progress after pledging to address deforestation.
2017
Cocoa-linked deforestation allegations
Mighty Earth alleged that Barry Callebaut purchased cocoa connected to illegal cultivation in protected forests in Côte d’Ivoire, raising concerns about habitat loss and biodiversity.