The Worst Chocolate in America is Sold All Over Arizona

I've been considering how we, as consumers, vote with our dollars. It's not just that money is tight and things cost more. I've been thinking about how we lend credence to something as we generate demand, and this is particularly true for "optional items", like snacks and treats.

I'm becoming much more conscious about my choices. I'll invest a little more money in something of quality and from a good source, even if that means I buy fewer items.

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The "Cost" of Chocolate in Arizona

Take, for example, an indulgence that many of us take for granted: chocolate. According to Smithsonian Magazine, the Swiss perfected "eating chocolate" in the 1870s, giving it the flavor and texture we know today.

At its inception, chocolate was an occasional treat for the rich. Today, we might mindlessly grab a chocolate candy bar on our way through a checkout line.

READ: Arizona Has 292 Locations of 2nd Worst Rated Food Chain in US

As we mindlessly snack on this indulgence, we might not realize we're supporting more than just a quick sugar fix. As it turns out, when we vote this way with our dollars, we might unintentionally pay for something we would never support.

The Worst Chocolate in America is Sold in Arizona

Most of that cheap, grab-and-go "chocolate" isn't worth it, and I'm not just talking about the "calorie" cost.  The website 247WallStreet.com compiled a list of eight chocolate brands to avoid, and the reasons go far beyond the waxy, lifeless flavor.

READ: America's Worst Pizza Chains Are Found In Arizona

Of the major brands sold in Arizona, the brand Mars topped the "worst" chocolate list. Here are some of the candy bars sold in our state:

• Snickers
• Mars Bars
• Milky Way
• M&Ms
• Twix
• 3 Musketeers
• Dove Chocolate

Why Are Mars Chocolates on the "Worst" List?

It's not just the quality of the products that landed Mars on the "avoid" list. According to the Washington Post, as far back as 2001, the company promised to eliminate overseas child and slave laborers.

However, as recently as 2019, Mars said they couldn't trace more than 23% of their cacao sources to the origin and, therefore, couldn't guarantee their products were consciously sourced.

My reaction to this information is: Excuse me, what? These products are sold all over Arizona, all over America. This is not okay.

Will Mars ever stop using cacao sourced with child labor? According to CNBC, the company has said for over two decades that it condemns the use of child labor and is “fully committed” to ending the practice in its supply chain. However, the practice continues.

Sources: Smithsonian Magazine | 247WallStreet.com | Washington Post | CNBC