Boise-Based Albertsons Ends Sale Of Chaokoh Coconut Milk

BOISE, ID — In a news release by PETA, Boise-based Albertsons and its subsidiary Safeway have ended a relationship with a coconut milk producer based in Thailand after reports of animal cruelty.

An investigation by PETA found Chaokoh used monkey labor to harvest coconuts used in the milk sold in the United States.

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PETA Asia’s first investigation found cruelty to monkeys on every farm, at every monkey-training facility, and in every coconut-picking contest that used monkey labor. 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. After a global outcry, the coconut industry claimed to have changed this practice—but PETA Asia’s second investigation found producers still using monkey labor and industry insiders discussing how farms conceal this practice by simply hiding monkeys until auditors leave or by hiring contractors to bring in monkeys only during harvest time.

Photos from the most recent investigation are available here, and broadcast-quality footage is available upon request.

Albertsons is now among more than 30,000 stores—including chains Wegmans, Costco, Target, Food Lion, and Stop & Shop—that have cut ties with coconut milk brands that use coconuts picked by monkeys.

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