Retailers including Tesco and Marks and Spencer (M&S) have been criticised for their approach to sourcing cocoa in research lead by charities, NGOs and universities.

Tesco failed to respond to the survey, placing it in the lowest category while M&S was placed in the fourth category called “needs to catch up with the industry”.

In its annual Chocolate Scorecard report, Mighty Earth said that the sustainability claims of chocolate companies cannot always be trusted as only 11 per cent of companies can fully trace where their cocoa come from.

Suppliers and retailers were assessed on various factors including deforestation, traceability and child labour via a survey. They were then placed into one of five categories depending on the overall ranking.

Aldi was placed in the top category, which was described as “developing their own programmes and partnerships to address inequalities in the supply chain.”

Lidl, Sainsburys and Waitrose were placed in the second category, with the report finding they are doing more than existing regulations require.

The report found that many companies involved in the manufacture and retailing of chocolate products have implemented monitoring systems and net zero emissions targets. However, the research suggests that many are failing to use satellite monitoring systems. The report also highlights that some companies’ grievance procedures lack transparency and are often “inadequate”.

The report said that Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana have lost most of their forest cover in the past sixty years - around 94 per cent and 80 per cent respectively. Around a third of this can be attributed to cocoa growing.

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