Costco has ditched a popular coconut milk product after allegations of forced monkey labor have surfaced.
According to PETA, investigators have found evidence that certain farms operating under Theppadungporn Coconut Co., the manufacturer of Chaokoh coconut milk, are guilty of animal abuse and cruelty.
“When not being forced to pick coconuts or perform in circus-style shows for tourists, the animals were kept tethered, chained to old tires, or confined to cages barely larger than their bodies,” PETA said of their investigation.
“One coconut farmer confirmed that when monkeys are terrified and try to defend themselves, handlers may have their teeth pulled out.”
While PETA insists they found farms working under Theppadungporn Coconut Co. resorting to the use of monkeys for gathering the fruits, the company told USA Today that an audit of randomly selected 64 farms, out of a total of 817 farms under their reigns, “did not find the use of monkey for coconut harvesting.”
Following the disturbing allegations, Costco has decided to ditch Chaokoh coconut milk and cut ties with the Thai company.
“Victory! Costco, one of the largest grocery chains in the U.S., has cut ties with Chaokoh coconut milk after discussions with PETA and hearing from thousands of concerned shoppers like you,” PETA confirmed in an announcement.
“Many kind people choose coconut milk instead of cow’s milk because they don’t want to support cruelty to animals,” the organization explained on their website.
“But a disturbing PETA Asia investigation reveals that terrified young monkeys in Thailand are kept chained, abusively trained, and forced to climb trees to pick coconuts that are used to make coconut milk, meat, flour, oil, and other products.”
According to PETA, their investigator came across disturbing findings after paying a visit to eight coconut farms in the country.
“Monkeys are forced to pick coconuts-including those for one of Thailand’s major coconut milk producers, Chaokoh-as well as several monkey-training facilities and a coconut-picking competition. At each one, they documented that these sensitive animals were abused and exploited,” they insisted.
Replaced!