Monkey-Free Coconut Cream Brands: The Complete 2026 List
Which brands are safe to buy? Which ones use forced monkey labor? Here's everything you need to know.
Since 2019, PETA has conducted three major investigations into Thailand's coconut industry, documenting the systematic use of pig-tailed macaques — an endangered species — to harvest coconuts. Over 40,000 stores worldwide have dropped implicated brands, including Walmart, Target, Costco, Wegmans, and major UK retailers.
If you're a restaurant, grocery store, or food service buyer, here's how to make an informed choice.
Brands Implicated in Monkey Labor
These brands are sourced from Thailand and have been linked to monkey labor in PETA investigations:
- Chaokoh (Theppadungporn Coconut Co.) — the primary boycott target
- Aroy-D — widely used in US restaurants
- Thai Pure
- Ampawa
- Blue Dragon
- Suree
- Tropicana Oil
- Various UK retailer own-brand coconut milks sourced from Thailand
PETA's position is clear: “It's impossible to guarantee that any canned coconut milk produced in Thailand didn't use forced monkey labor.”
Countries Confirmed Monkey-Labor-Free
PETA has verified that these countries do not use monkey labor:
- Indonesia — where Kara is manufactured
- Philippines
- India
- Vietnam
- Dominican Republic
- Sri Lanka
Any coconut cream or milk sourced from these countries is safe. The monkey labor issue is specific to Thailand.
Verified Monkey-Free Brands
| Brand | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kara | Indonesia | World's largest coconut processor. Halal, Kosher, Non-GMO, Rainforest Alliance. |
| Native Forest | Sri Lanka / Philippines | Organic. PETA verified. Available at Whole Foods. |
| Let's Do Organic | Sri Lanka | Edward & Sons brand. PETA verified. |
| Pacific Foods | Various (non-Thai) | US brand. Sources from non-monkey-labor producers. |
| Whole Foods 365 | Various (non-Thai) | Store brand, ethical sourcing policy. |
What Happened to the Thai Brands?
Here's the timeline:
- 2019 — PETA's first investigation documents monkey labor at Thai coconut farms
- 2020 — Costco, Target, Walgreens, Food Lion, and Stop & Shop drop Chaokoh
- 2021 — PETA's second investigation finds continued abuse across 14 farms
- 2022 — Third investigation confirms the practice is still widespread
- 2023-present — 40,000+ stores have removed implicated products. Some Thai brands saw 30% sales drops.
Despite Thai government and industry promises, PETA confirms that monkey labor is still being used and deliberately hidden from auditors.
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you're a retailer, your customers are checking. If you're a restaurant, your diners are asking. The monkey labor issue has gone mainstream — it's not a niche concern anymore.
Switching to an Indonesian-sourced brand like Kara gives you:
- A verifiable ethical sourcing story
- Protection from consumer boycotts
- A marketing advantage (“We use monkey-free coconut cream”)
- Often better pricing than the premium “ethical” brands like Native Forest
Ready to try Kara Coconut Cream?
1000ml UHT Tetra Pak. 24% fat. 18-month shelf life. No refrigeration. Monkey-labor-free. $42/case (12 packs).