Jewel-Osco drops coconut milk tied to monkey labor

ITASCA - After two PETA Asia undercover investigations revealed the use of chained and caged monkeys in Thailand's coconut-picking industry - and after receiving more than 200,000 emails from PETA supporters, grocery chain Jewel-Osco has ended the sale of coconut milk from major producer Chaokoh, the animal protection group said.

The decision follows a vigorous campaign by PETA, which included delivering humanely picked coconuts to the president and other executives of Jewel-Osco's parent company, Albertsons Companies Inc., and enlisting the help of singer Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's, who lives in Thailand.

Albertsons cut ties with Chaokoh last year and now the company has confirmed that every one of its subsidiaries has followed suit.

Jewel-Osco joins Performance Food Group and more than 33,000 stores - including those owned by chains Publix, Wegmans, Target, Food Lion and Stop & Shop in addition to Albertsons - that have cut ties with coconut milk brands that use coconuts picked by monkeys, PETA said.

"A life as a chained-up coconut-picking machine is no life at all for a monkey, who needs to play, eat and explore with family members," said Tracy Reiman, PETA executive vice president. "Since PETA exposes have confirmed cover-ups of cruelty on coconut farms, no company with a conscience can keep supporting Chaokoh, and Jewel-Osco should be commended for taking action to help monkeys."