Rotten

We've been watching a Netflix documentary series called Rotten, in which each episode focuses on the nefarious aspects of the sale and marketing of certain foods and drinks.

So far we've been put off avocados, bottled water, sugar made from sugar cane and most chocolate. I'm anticipating the next episode with some trepidation and wondering what else we have to ditch.

Avocado growers in places like Chile rob villagers of water in order to grow their avocados. Sugar cane involves what's tantamount to slave labour, bottled water manufacturers are simply ripping people off and selling tap water, and in a lot of cases, plundering local water supplies, and the chocolate trade involves decimation of national parks, child labour and nefarious practices on the part of the handful of chocolate traders.

The one thing the series reinforces is that without regulation, unfettered capitalism doesn't give a toss about people or the environment. You'd think we'd have learned our lesson in the 1800s, when flour manufacturers cut their flour with chalk and all manner of contaminants to increase profits. It also illustrates how politicians can connive with big business against the interests of those who elect them.

We're not great avocado eaters, but we certainly won't be buying any in the future, unless certified as ethically sourced. 

Hay has a condition which means the fluoride in tap water affects her adversely, so she drinks the cheap Tesco or Lidl bottled water; however, there are ways of getting rid of tap water fluoride, like reverse osmosis.

As for sugar, Silver Spoon sugar is made from British sugar beet and therefore totally ethical - last I heard, Norfolk sugar beet farmers were not using slave labour, although I do think they should press Brexiteers into their labour force.

In regard of chocolate, we're going to switch to Tony's Chocolonely, a Dutch brand that deals direct with cocoa farmers in West Africa and guarantees them a fair price that's 20% above what they get from the traders. The branding looks hideously American and I have no idea what it tastes like (I never really liked Dutch chocolate as a kid), but Waitrose sell it and we'll give it a go, even if it is more expensive. 

The one problem we have is that we have several bars of chocolate in a cupboard, but I have volunteered to sacrifice myself in order to get rid of them.

Yes, we know about Fair Trade, but there are concerns that much of the money Fair Trade generates doesn't reach the producers and is frittered away in the supply chain.

Last night's episode focused on cannabis, but I don't use the stuff, so there's no need to change anything.