Ep 5. Bitter Chocolate

The show Rotten aims to uncover the corruption and deceit in the food industry. In season 2, the show explores the darker side of chocolate production and the bitter truth behind this sweet treat. In episode 5, entitled "Bitter Chocolate," viewers are taken on a journey to the Ivory Coast, where 60% of the world's cocoa is grown. The episode focuses on the exploitation and mistreatment of child laborers who work on cocoa farms.

The episode starts by introducing viewers to two investigative journalists, Sam and Miki, who are trying to uncover the truth behind child labor in the cocoa industry. They are on a mission to find out whether the chocolate industry is living up to its promises of eradicating child labor and improving the lives of cocoa farmers.

The episode highlights the harsh realities of the cocoa industry in the Ivory Coast. Sam and Miki meet with former child laborers who provide insight into their experiences working on cocoa farms. The children reveal that they were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions and were often subject to physical abuse. Sam and Miki are shocked by the stories they hear and are determined to investigate further.

The journalists visit a cocoa farm to see firsthand the conditions in which children are working. They witness children carrying heavy bags of cocoa beans, using sharp machetes, and working without protective gear in the scorching heat. The journalists interview the farmer who runs the farm, who denies any allegations of child labor. However, Sam and Miki suspect that the farmer is lying and continue their investigation.

Their investigation takes them to a chocolate factory in Switzerland, where they meet with representatives from the largest chocolate companies in the world. The companies claim that they are doing everything they can to eradicate child labor in the cocoa industry, but Sam and Miki are skeptical. They ask the representatives tough questions and demand more transparency from the industry.

The episode highlights the power imbalance in the cocoa industry, with large multinational companies holding all the cards. The farmers in the Ivory Coast are reliant on the companies to buy their cocoa, which puts them in a vulnerable position. The companies can set the prices they pay for cocoa, which often means that farmers are not paid enough to make a living. This drives farmers to use child labor, as it is cheaper than employing adults.

Overall, the episode serves as a wake-up call to the chocolate industry and consumers. The viewer is made aware of the exploitation and mistreatment of child laborers in the cocoa industry, as well as the lack of transparency and accountability on the part of chocolate companies. The episode challenges viewers to think more critically about what they buy and consume and to demand more from the companies that produce our food.