The big question is whether the sale of Godiva will have any effect on their purchasing policies.  Godiva, like many US chocolate companies, buys cocoa beans from farms in Cote d'Ivoire where forced and child labor is widespread.  While billions are spent buying Godiva, are farmers and their children who farm the cocoa beans that create the company's source of profit going to see any benefit?

There has also been increasing discussion in the chocolate industry about shifting to more gourmet chocolate, including organic bars.  But again, we are left wondering: who benefits from these high-price indulgences?  Will the big chocolate companies make an increasing investment in fair trade certified chocolate?

You don't have to wait for the big chocolate companies to clean up their act this Halloween.  Make sure to buy your fair trade Halloween candy early from companies like Equal Exchange, Divine Chocolate and the Global Exchange online store.