ASDA drops Thai coconut milk following probe into ‘cruel’ monkey-training

Supermarket giant ASDA has agreed to stop sourcing its own brand* of coconut milk from Thailand.

The move follows a probe into the use of monkeys in the country’s coconut industry, which unearthed ‘rampant abuse’.

Undercover investigators from PETA implicated coconut pickers, brokers, farms, and monkey-training operations in nine provinces, including top-producing ones.

One trainer was filmed dangling a screaming monkey by the neck and getting struck by a tether – while another remained chained alone in the sun with no access to water.

‘Exploitative practice’

“ASDA has taken compassionate action to avoid cruelly obtained coconut milk,” said PETA’s Dawn Carr.

“We urge the Thai government to take meaningful steps towards ending the exploitative practice of forcing captive monkeys to harvest coconuts.

“PETA is calling on retailers to stop selling any Thai coconut milk products until monkeys are no longer used and abused for profit.”

Vegan Food & Living reached out to the retailer for comment who confirmed that “there’s no further plans at present” to remove branded coconut milk from Thailand.

Thai coconut milk controversy

Monkey suppliers reportedly abduct most of the macaques used in the Thai coconut milk industry.

According to PETA, handlers will use ‘rigid metal collars’ around the animals’ neck and ‘choke and control them’ with chains and leashes.

“Through months of physical abuse and punishment, they’re coerced into submission,” the organisation states.

“Their canine teeth may be removed so they can’t defend themselves… Investigators learned that monkeys may also incur injuries from falls and animal bites.”

*ASDA’s own brand of coconut milk will now be sourced from the Philippines. However, the retailer continues to sell branded coconut milk from Thailand.

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Featured image: Alan via Adobe Stock