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Mars Takes a Step Forward Towards Sustainability -- Urge Them to Go Further

Last week, Mars, Incorporated announced a commitment to source 100,000 metric tons of cocoa certified by the Rainforest Alliance annually for use in Mars products. Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa's Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and U.S. State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Exploitation of cocoa farmers and farm workers is the norm in the chocolate industry. While the OCA recognizes Mars' progress towards sustainability with Rainforest Alliance certification, OCA and partners like the International Labor Rights Forum, have long urged Mars for stronger labor standards, organic certification and a commitment to source GE Free sugar.

Despite demands from farmers and consumers, Mars has not committed to sourcing GE Free sugar. Monsanto Corporation's RoundUp Ready Genetically Engineered Sugar Beet is designed to withstand massive doses of toxic weed killers. Roughly half of all processed foods contain sugar from sugar beets. Monsanto's GE sugar beets will expose millions of consumers to untested and unlabeled "Franken Foods" that threaten human heath, the environment and farmers' rights everywhere.

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November 20, 2009

Subject:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I read with interest Mars' recent commitment to source 100,000 metric tons of cocoa certified by the Rainforest Alliance for Mars' products in the UK and Ireland. As you know, over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa's Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and U.S. State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Exploitation of cocoa farmers and farm workers is the norm in the chocolate industry.

While I recognize Mars' progress towards sustainability with Rainforest Alliance certification, I urge Mars to adopt stronger labor standards, incorporate organic certification into its product line and make a commitment to source GE Free sugar.

USDA Organically Certified products guarantee consumers a strict and verifiable mechanism to purchase products that are healthy and protect the environment.

Fair Trade Certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace.

Monsanto Corporation's RoundUp Ready Genetically Engineered Sugar Beet is designed to withstand massive doses of toxic weed killers. Roughly half of all processed foods contain sugar from sugar beets. Monsanto's GE sugar beets will expose millions of consumers to untested and unlabeled "Franken Foods" that threaten human heath, the environment and farmers' rights everywhere. Please consider joining the new Non-GM Sugar Beet Registry which lets consumers like me know that they plan to avoid GM beet sugar, at http://www.seedsofdeception.com/includes/services/nongm_sugar_beet_registry_display.cfm. Please sign on to the Registry so I can continue to purchase your products with confidence.

I look forward to hearing how Mars will continue to incorporate sustainability in its production process.

Sincerely,

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