Forced monkey labor claims halt HelloFresh use of Thai coconut milk

The largest meal-kit provider in the United States said it will no longer buy coconut milk from Thailand after animal rights group PETA alleged that its coconut milk was being sourced from farms that used forced monkey labor.

Axios reported that HelloFresh said it would "cease purchasing and seek new suppliers" out of an "abundance of caution" following a successful campaign by the animal-rights charity.

"We do not tolerate any form of animal abuse in our supply chain," HelloFresh said in a statement to Axios.

HelloFresh's move follows a series of investigations by PETA Asia, which revealed exploitative practices in Thailand's coconut-farming industry. It found that monkeys were being forced to climb tall trees and pick heavy coconuts for hours at a time, while attached to chains.

PETA accused Suree and Aroy-D, HelloFresh's former coconut milk suppliers, of keeping monkeys chained on dirt patches with no protection from the elements.

The investigation also said that the monkeys were frequently bitten by ants, stung by hornets, and broke bones after falling or being yanked out of trees. 

The most recent investigation from November 2022 featured videos and photos showing the practice.

Major retailers, including Walmart, Target, and Costco, have already stopped selling coconut milk from certain Thai suppliers, but HelloFresh's move goes one step further, banning all coconut milk exports from the country.

The meal-delivery company did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

In the aftermath of its investigation, PETA launched a campaign against HelloFresh, which involved supporters sending nearly 100,000 emails to executives.

It's now calling on Whole Foods and other retailers to stop sourcing coconut milk from Thailand, it said in a press release.

According to Axios, Thailand holds approximately 80% of the market share for coconut milk in the US.

PETA said in a blog post that there's currently no way to be certain that Thai coconut milk doesn't come from forced monkey labor.

In a news release, PETA celebrated the HelloFresh news.

"HelloFresh's decision will help protect monkeys from being kidnapped, chained, and whipped in the coconut trade," PETA's Corporate Projects Manager Carys Bennett said.

She added: "By cutting ties with Thai coconut suppliers, leaders like HelloFresh are helping PETA push the industry away from using and abusing monkeys, who belong in nature with their families."