the enemy of the rainforest
Soy plantations require extensive agricultural areas; in South America, rainforests are often cleared to make way for soy, affecting climate, biodiversity, and Indigenous rights.
the nuts too hard to crack
For cashews, sustainability challenges are linked to poor labour conditions: the processing involves steaming, cooling, and cracking, with a caustic liquid between shell and nut that is difficult to automate and is often done by hand, causing corrosive injuries without adequate protective equipment.
The banana industry faces severe challenges regarding human rights, including low wages, insecure employment, and restrictions on the right to unionise. The widespread use of pesticides in banana cultivation poses health risks to farmers.