Some children wept when their excited family discovered an empty spot on the chocolate advent calendar.
According to their parents, the problem led to family disputes.
Some suspect that there was a manufacturing error behind the disappearance of the treat on December 8.
However, closer examination revealed that they had made a conscious, woke decision to leave the window blank on Tony’s Chocolonely Calendar for December 8.
According to the Dutch fairtrade chocolate company, it decided to raise awareness about inequality and the use of slave labor by highlighting the practices of untrustworthy chocolate manufacturers.
An explanation message was added to the window that had been left empty on December 8.
Unhappy parents claimed they didn’t need to be “taught a lesson from my advent calendar” – and added that this upset kids with ADHD or autism who couldn’t understand why.
The £13 ‘Countdown Calendar’ from Tony’s Chocolonely landed on supermarket shelves last month
Tony received hundreds of comments on his social media pages.
Company claims it filled the window with additional bonus chocolates, on December 9, and 24, that each contained two more treats than usual.
Rebecca Winward, a mother of eight, stated that her daughter, then 8, was overcome with sadness at losing the opportunity. Her ADHD diagnosis is still pending, and she’s currently awaiting an autism diagnosis. So what may seem like minor problems to other people are big to her.
A mother shared her sentiment: “So glad that I didn’t purchase for my autistic child.” While I can understand why it’s so, I don’t think it right not to warn.
Laura Tylor, however, wrote that calendars are only for children. Seeing them before school can be a stressful experience. Make a statement if you wish to.
Lisbeth King stated that she didn’t believe her advent calendar should teach me a lesson.
You’re preaching to the converted.
Tony’s, whose £12.99 product has been sold via outlets including Waitrose and Ocado, later admitted its idea for an ‘unequally divided calendar’ was ‘inappropriate and caused confusion and disappointment’.
Company stated that they had failed to recognize the potential problems that empty windows might cause for children with neurodivergent disabilities and their parents. There is more we can do to make our products inclusive.
“At Tony’s, we use our products as a way to tell the tale of an industry that is unevenly divided and full of inequalities.
Known to fans simply as Tony’s, the Fairtrade brand was founded in the Netherlands in 2005 by three Dutch TV journalists
Tony’s explanation was well received by parents, who expressed their appreciation for the way it sparked an education conversation.
Hilary Pyburn commented, “I love the advent calendar and its message.” Keep challenging inequality.’
Tony’s claims that its research shows at least 30.000 children and adults are being forced into the cocoa industry. In Ghana and Ivory Coast, where over 60% of world’s cocoa production takes place, at least 1.56 million children live in illegal conditions due to their family’s poverty.
The report claims that cocoa farmers live in poverty as giant chocolate corporations pay them poorly. In the Ivory Coast, they earn 70 pence per day – too little to provide for their families.
Tony’s was criticized last month for omitting Advent from its Countdown Calendar – in order to make it ‘accessible for all who celebrate this festive season.
Christian Concern chief executive Andrea Williams voiced concern over marketing and said: “To take Advent out of Christmas is to forget the meaning of Christmas.”
What is the countdown? It isn’t a reflection of Advent, the joy and hope that anticipates Jesus’ arrival.
After discovering major chocolate companies had purchased cocoa plantations from which they were accused of using modern slavery or child labor, three Dutch TV reporters founded Fairtrade.
Nicola Matthews was Tony’s representative. She stated that there was a message right next to the number 8 explaining that our calendar wasn’t evenly split.
“Our goal was to raise awareness about the issue because people can only choose to be conscious of the bitter sides to chocolate and make demands for change at big chocolate companies.
Tony is a campaigner for 100% ethical chocolate. However, Slave Free Chocolate dropped it from their approved list earlier this year. They are a group that aims to eradicate child slavery in cocoa production.
This was in the midst of claims Tony’s had worked with Barry Callebaut (a Swiss cocoa processor), who was named as a defendant along with Mars, Nestle and Hershey and Mondelez. The lawsuit was filed by eight ex-child slaves who claimed they were made to work on Ivory Coast plantations unpaid.
Tony’s replied to the accusations by saying: “We have not found modern slavery throughout our supply chain. We do however find cases of illegal child labor occurring at the cocoa farms, from where our beans are sourced.
“We have been 100% transparent in this matter since the beginning. It is unacceptable.