Target is joining Costco and a number of other United States companies in dropping coconut milk producer Chaokoh from its line of products amid allegations that the company uses forced monkey labor to gather coconuts.
Target removed Chaokoh’s products because it found that Chaokoh failed to “address the concern raised,” according to USA Today.
“We believe in the humane treatment of animals and expect those who do business with us to do the same,” Target said on Monday. “We take seriously the claims made against Chaokoh, and given they were unable to sufficiently address the concerns raised, we made the decision to remove their product from our assortment in November 2020.”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals reported last year that both Chaokoh and the Thai Food Processors Association used “forced monkey labor” to pick the coconuts used for coconut products sold in the U.S.
“Monkeys are still being used at many farms and that monkey schools and coconut-picking competitions using monkeys are still in operation,” PETA’s website said. “Even though retailers around the world stopped purchasing Thai coconut products, the Thai coconut industry, including Chaokoh and the Thai Food Processors Association, and Thailand’s ambassador to the U.S. are actively misleading global brands and consumers about the continued use of monkey labor.”
A video with the report showed chained monkeys picking coconuts from trees, including one monkey who had its teeth pulled out so that it “can’t defend [it]self.”
Costco dropped Chaokoh in October 2020, shortly after PETA’s report was released. It was joined by several other U.S. companies, including Wegmans, Super King Markets, Giant Food, Food Lion, and Stop & Shop.
Chaokoh has denied the allegations, releasing a statement in July that said it completed audits of several farms where the company buys coconuts that confirmed its suppliers’ coconuts are “harvested humanely with an animal-free method.”
“Our team has been working tirelessly to ensure every farm complies with our ethical standards,” Chaokoh’s Aphisak Theppadungporn said. “We remain committed to ensuring that none of our products is associated with animal cruelty and willing to continue to support our local farmers towards the same goal.”
PETA welcomed Target’s decision but noted that it was still working to get other companies to stop buying Chaokoh’s products.
“By dropping Chaokoh, Costco and Target have joined thousands of stores that refuse to profit from chained monkeys’ misery. PETA exposés have confirmed that Thai coconut producers are exploiting monkeys and lying about it, so there’s no excuse for any grocery store to keep Chaokoh on its shelves,” a PETA spokesperson told the Washington Examiner. “PETA is now turning its attention to other retailers that still do business with Chaokoh, including Kroger, Albertsons, and Publix.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Target, Costco, and Chaokoh for further comment.
