Edward & Sons Supplier Receives PETA Award for Ethical Sourcing Practices
Honored for its stance against monkey labor, Edward & Sons’ organic coconut supplier earns PETA Asia’s 2024 Company of the Year, highlighting a long-standing commitment to ethical sourcing and Earth Day values
CARPINTERIA, Calif. (April 22, 2025) – Edward & Sons Trading Company, a leader in ethical and sustainable food products, is proud to announce that its long-time Thai coconut supplier has been named PETA Asia's prestigious Company of the Year for its commitment to ethical sourcing practices, including monkey labor-free coconut harvesting. This recognition reflects the values at the heart of Edward & Sons' mission. Headquartered in Carpinteria, just miles from the site of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill that helped inspire the first Earth Day, Edward & Sons has long championed animal welfare and environmental sustainability across every part of its supply chain.
The recognition from PETA, the preeminent animal rights group, further solidifies the integrity of Edward & Sons’ 47-year commitment to ethical sourcing practices across its entire family of brands including Native Forest® and Let's Do Organic®. These products have consistently been verified by PETA as "monkey labor-free," following thorough audits of the coconut harvesting process.
“PETA is proud to recognize Edward & Sons for pushing back against the cruelty that runs rampant in the coconut trade, where monkeys are chained and whipped into picking coconuts,” said PETA Senior Vice President of International Operations Jason Baker. “Their commitment to sourcing coconut products without monkey labor sets a cruelty-free and responsible example for the rest of the industry to follow -- one that deserves recognition this Earth Day.”
Liz Dee, CEO of Edward & Sons Trading Company, said the company, founded in 1978, has always been deeply committed to sourcing products that respect both animals and the environment.
“On Earth Day and every day, we believe that responsible sourcing is a reflection of our deepest values at Edward & Sons, values that we have pioneered for nearly fifty years – protecting not just the environment but also the living beings who call it home,” Liz said.
Soaring worldwide consumer demand for food products made from coconuts – including coconut water, coconut milk and plant-based coconut yogurt and ice creams, among others – led to focused attention on a 2022 PETA exposé about the shocking abuse of monkeys by some Thai farmers, who use enslaved monkeys to harvest their coconuts.
Multiple PETA investigations in Thailand revealed that endangered pig-tailed macaques, illegally kidnapped from the wild, were being kept chained and abusively trained to be coconut-picking machines. When PETA investigators found monkey labor on farms maintained by third-party contractors – farms that had been certified as “monkey-free” by the Thai government – Edward & Sons’ coconut supplier promptly cut ties with the farms and gave investigators full access to their local partner farms to verify that no monkey labor was being used.
“Native Forest has always stood for value-driven innovation,” said Alison Cox, vice president of sales and marketing at Edward & Sons. “From pioneering organic coconut milk to leading on monkey labor–free sourcing, we’re proud to offer products that meet both the ethical and culinary expectations of today’s market, our retailers and our consumers.”
Edward & Sons continues to stand at the forefront of ethical business practices by supporting initiatives that promote sustainability, animal welfare, and community development. The company actively collaborates with local organizations, including the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand, which provides shelter and rehabilitation for monkeys affected by unethical labor practices. The company encourages consumers to make mindful purchasing decisions and support brands that prioritize both social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
“Change doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes all of us — brands, suppliers, retailers and consumers — working together to build a food system rooted in care, accountability, and respect,” concludes Liz. “We’re grateful for this recognition, and hopeful it inspires more companies to examine their supply chains with fresh eyes. A more humane food system is possible – but only if we choose it.”
PETA Shoppers Guide
In October 2024, PETA issued an updated Shoppers Guide to educate consumers about this important issue and to identify brands that have been verified as monkey labor-free. Among a small number of coconut milk brands that PETA’s investigations identified as monkey labor-free are Edward & Sons’ Native Forest® brand of organic coconut milk products and its Let’s Do Organic® line of organic coconut products.
Learn More
About Edward & Sons®
Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. is an independently owned, family-run food business based in Carpinteria, California. Since 1978, they’ve offered a distinctive portfolio of plant-based, natural, organic, and sustainably sourced grocery brands—including Native Forest®, Let’s Do Organic®, and more. Committed to ethical sourcing and environmental stewardship, Edward & Sons provides nourishing foods that support both local communities and the planet. The company proudly partners with retailers across North America to deliver “Convenience Without Compromise®.” Their products can be found wherever natural foods are sold. To learn more, visit EdwardandSons.com and search the Store Locator or Online Retailers list to find products near you. Follow along on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
PETA Investigation Verifies Edward & Sons' Native Forest® and Let's Do Organic® Brands of Organic Coconut Products Are 'Monkey Labor-Free'
CARPINTERIA, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2024) – After visiting and conducting an extensive audit of organic food leader Edward & Sons Trading Company’s organic coconut supplier in Thailand, the animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has officially verified that the Native Forest® and Let's Do Organic® brands are “monkey labor-free following PETA investigations."
"When we launched Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk in 2002 as the first certified organic coconut milk in North America, we partnered with a Thai supplier committed to sustainable, monkey-free harvesting practices. As a vegetarian company, we have kept animal well-being at the heart of our values from the very beginning," says Edward & Sons founder Joel Dee.
In October 2024, PETA issued an updated Shoppers Guide to educate consumers about this important issue and to identify brands that have been verified as monkey labor-free. Among a small number of coconut milk brands that PETA’s investigations identified as monkey labor-free are Edward & Sons’ Native Forest® brand of organic coconut milk products, and its Let’s Do Organic® line of organic coconut products.
“Our customers trust us to uphold the highest ethical standards, and PETA’s verification is a testament to our commitment. By offering monkey labor-free coconut products, we’re proud to give consumers high-quality organic options that align with their values," says Alison Cox, VP Sales & Marketing.
Soaring worldwide consumer demand for food products made from coconuts – including coconut water, coconut milk and plant-based coconut yogurt, among others – led to focused attention on a 2022 PETA exposé about the shocking abuse of monkeys by some Thai farmers, who use enslaved, forced monkey labor to harvest their coconuts.
“Curious, highly intelligent monkeys are denied mental stimulation, companionship, freedom and everything else that’s natural and important to them — all so they can be forced to pick coconuts. By purchasing from brands that support monkey labor-free coconut-harvesting methods, you’ll be helping to end the cruel practice of exploiting vulnerable monkeys while also sending a powerful message to companies that make products from coconuts picked using abusive methods,” PETA said in its updated Shoppers Guide. In addition to PETA’s monkey labor-free verification, Edward & Sons’ supplier partner’s farm has also been inspected and certified “Monkey Free” by the Thai Department of Labor under a program launched in 2023.
“Edward & Sons is dedicated to upholding our values by ensuring that all of our coconut products are ethically produced using no monkey labor,” says President Russell Parker. “Further, we actively support the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand, providing care and shelter for monkeys affected by this cruel practice. We encourage everyone to support a humane coconut supply chain that respects animals and keeps the wild truly wild."
Learn More
About Edward & Sons®
Offering a unique portfolio of plant-based, natural, sustainable and organic grocery brands since 1978, including Native Forest®, Edward & Sons®, Let’s Do Organic® and more, Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. is known for its convenient and nourishing foods that support local economies and the environment. An independently owned business based in Carpinteria, California, Edward & Sons is committed to providing health-conscious consumers “Convenience Without Compromise®.” For more information, visit www.EdwardandSons.com and follow on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042
Edward & Sons® Organic Rice Crackers Leads List of Gluten Free Products with Zero Detectable Levels of Glyphosate
Consumer advocacy group Moms Across America had 46 gluten free food products tested for glyphosate residues; Edward & Sons® Organic Brown Rice Snaps® was one of only two products that had zero detectable levels of the toxic, synthetic herbicide.
CARPINTERIA, Calif. (July 9, 2024) – According to a new report by Moms Across America, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, 46 samples of organic and non-organic gluten free foods were tested for glyphosate – the most widely used herbicide in the world and one linked to a variety of health issues. The results showed that 44 out of 46 samples contained glyphosate residues. Moreover, the tests revealed that not all organic, gluten free products were free of glyphosate.
However, one organic product line, Edward & Sons Organic Brown Rice Snaps®, had no detectable levels of glyphosate, according to Moms Across America’s test results.
For a summary of the results, visit here.
In the U.S., 12% of men and 9% of women report eating gluten free diets. Globally, approximately 660 million people avoid gluten. It also is estimated that 1 in 100 people worldwide are affected by celiac disease.
"Moms Across America was thrilled to find that Edward & Sons' rice crackers, a staple in many of our homes, had no detectable level of glyphosate. Only two gluten free products out of the 46 samples tested achieved this status,” said Zen Honeycutt, Founder and Executive Director of Moms Across America.
“In an increasingly toxic environment, for a product not to be contaminated with glyphosate is no small feat. It takes integrity and commitment to source clean ingredients, and we are thrilled to celebrate companies that are producing safe, nontoxic, quality foods. We hope many brands are inspired by the results and urge their suppliers to discontinue glyphosate and all toxic agrochemical use and transition to regenerative and organic farming for a thriving future. Thank you, Edward & Sons!" Honeycutt added.
“It has become increasingly challenging for all of us to avoid contaminants in our food, water and air,” explained Joel Dee, Founder and Director of leading organic and plant-based foods pioneer Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. “At Edward & Sons, we take the challenge seriously. We are proud of the recognition received by our organic baked Brown Rice Snaps. It validates the selection and practices of our farmer-partners. Their commitment to organic agriculture nurtures their local ecology, protects farmers and consumers, and makes possible the most delicious and nutritious foods we can offer.”
Glyphosate, a synthetic herbicide originally patented in 1974 by the Monsanto Company, is known as the active ingredient in Roundup®-branded herbicides. According to watchdog group U.S. Right to Know, Monsanto reportedly removed glyphosate-based herbicides from the U.S. consumer market in 2023, but it is still widely used in commercial agriculture. In 2022, researchers at the National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detected glyphosate in the urine of 81% of Americans over six years of age.
“We believe that gluten-free manufacturers are challenged to find clean ingredients for their products because the U.S. government allows so many harmful agrochemicals to be used,” Honeycutt said in the report. Testing for the Moms Across America investigation was conducted by an accredited laboratory, Health Research Institute Laboratories. For the full glyphosate laboratory test results visit here.
About Edward & Sons
Offering a unique portfolio of plant-based, natural, sustainable and organic grocery brands since 1978, including Native Forest®, Edward & Sons, Let’s Do Organic® and more, Edward & Sons Trading Company, Inc. is known for its convenient and nourishing foods that support local economies and the environment. An independently owned business based in Carpinteria, California, Edward & Sons is committed to providing health-conscious consumers “Convenience Without Compromise®.” For more information,visit www.EdwardandSons.com and follow us on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
Media Contact
Steven Hoffman, Compass Natural, steve@compassnatural.com, tel 303.807.1042