Your favorite coconut milk may not be cruelty-free

By Gloria Stovall

I have been consuming plant-based milk for the past fourteen years, particularly, coconut and almond milk, but it was not until about six months ago, I discovered my treasured coconut milk, which I had been consuming well over a decade, was not cruelty-free.  It was “vegan” in the sense it was 100% organic, plant-based coconut milk without any animal cells or animal-derived ingredients, but it was not cruelty-free.  In one of my previous blog entries, I discussed how some products labeled vegan does not necessarily signify they are cruelty-free, which can be quite troubling and confusing as one would assume, without hesitation, vegan means cruelty-free; but the shocking truth is, that is not always the case, more often than not.  Another shocking discovery I made not too long ago was my favorite vegan chocolate chip cookies, which are quite popular in the vegan world, were not cruelty-free; but I will discuss that in another blog entry as this entry is focusing on coconut milk not being cruelty-free. 

Just when you think you know everything there is to know about being a vegan, your eyes are opened to the truth, as the saying goes, “ignorance is bliss,” and unless you want to know the truth about something, you will not investigate or delve further into it.  I personally get satisfaction knowing the truth about everything, even though it can be quite painful at times, knowing the truth can help you make the right decision about so many important things.  My eyes were opened wide, and my heart was broken into pieces when I came across an informative article that went into detail regarding the process of making coconut milk from start to finish.  I was bewildered, saddened and angered, when I found out that in over 80% of the coconut milk on the market, live monkeys, chained like slaves, are forced against their will to pick the coconuts used to produce popular coconut products including, milk, oil, water and flour.  Many of these monkeys (macaques) are young and kidnapped as babies from their mothers and forced into slave labor to satisfy the growing demand of coconut products, worldwide.  I will spare you the details about the awful abuse these precious monkeys endure on a daily basis; but I can guarantee you will now think twice about purchasing coconut milk, oil and any other coconut product, unless you know for sure these products were made without a trace of cruelty. 

The following companies participate in ethical, fair trade business practices and guarantee monkeys are not used to harvest coconuts; and please note this list does not mention every ethical company on the market, but gives a glimpse of the handful of companies making a difference in the lives of animals.   As you can see, Whole Foods, one of my favorite stores, is not on this list, as they have declined to comment whether or not their coconut products are sourced by means of animal cruelty.  

Companies participating in ethical, fair-trade business practices and guarantees monkeys are not used to harvest coconuts.

3 Buddhas Coconut Water

Carrington Farms

Big Tree Farms

Coco Luxe Life

Dr. Bronner’s

Earth Circle Organics

Naked Coconuts

Daiya

So Delicious

Silk

Trader Joe’s

Vita Coco

Spectrum Organics

Nutiva

Spectrum Organics

Califia Farms

Artisana Organics

Earth Conscious

Just as a plethora of cosmetic products labeled vegan are tested on animals, products that we consume, labeled vegan, are not always cruelty-free, which means vegans and those sensitive to the suffering of animals, must educate themselves about the everyday products they utilize, so they do not inadvertently contribute to animal suffering and unethical business practices.   

I pray you are well and thank you always for following my blog.  I apologize for not writing as often as I have so much going on, but I will put in more effort as I am so passionate about the vegan lifestyle and have so much to share with you! Have a blessed week!