Lily O'Brien's
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 6 sources
Irish chocolate maker selling boxed chocolates and gifts.
Lily O'Brien's publishes no certification, independent audit or supplier list, and we couldn't confirm where it gets most of its cocoa.
Also worth knowing
Most cocoa is grown in countries such as Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, where workers are very unlikely to earn a living wage.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It has 2 red flags: no evidence of a living wage and a hidden supply chain. Two or more red flags means a poor grade.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where cocoa is usually grown: worker rights are poorly protected in Ecuador, Cameroon and Nigeria.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: Finds and fixes child labour on cocoa farms (Fairtrade, Fair for Life or its own published monitoring), and traces other high-risk ingredients (palm oil) where they're a major part of its range
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain: no certification, independent audits or supplier list
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Estimates for its products
Our rules applied to one kind of product at a time, using Lily O'Brien's evidence and, where it has product lines, that line's countries. They're estimates: we don't know which factory made any single item.
- A product carrying the Fairtrade mark: Good
Holding one? Scan its barcode for an estimate that uses its care label or ingredients.
Where its cocoa is grown
We couldn't confirm where Lily O'Brien's gets most of its cocoa, so this shows where cocoa is usually grown.
| Country | Share | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Côte d'Ivoire | 45% | Regular violations | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Ghana | 25% | Strong protections | Well below a living wage | Low |
| Ecuador | 10% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| Cameroon | 10% | Systematic violations | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Nigeria | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Far below a living wage | Moderate |
| Indonesia | 5% | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: an estimated 1.5 million children work on cocoa farms in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, and most cocoa farmers earn well below a living income.
- Traces all of its palm oil to the country of origin or beyond, or buys all of it certified
- It doesn't show that it checks cocoa farms for child labour and fixes what it finds.
Research notes Lily O'Brien's makes its chocolates in Newbridge, Ireland, but does not say where its cocoa is grown, whether it is certified or what checks are made for child labour on cocoa farms. Its ethical policy only promises responsible sourcing in general terms. Palm oil is used only in some fillings and inclusions, and the company says this is all segregated RSPO certified. Its website delivers only to Ireland, the UK and the US.
What independent sources say
Sources and actions
Sources 6
Show all 6 sources
- The 7th Ed Chocolate Scorecard: who is participating · search the archive · Colian and Lily O'Brien's are not among the 44 invited medium and large companies
- Colian Holding acquires Lily O'Brien's (ConfectioneryNews, 2018) · search the archive · Colian Holding acquired Lily O'Brien's in 2018
- Lily O'Brien's (Irish Food & Drink / Bord Bia) · search the archive · Origin Green verified; no cocoa sourcing details
- Lily O'Brien's (Good Shopping Guide) · search the archive · No Fairtrade certification; no cocoa sourcing disclosure
Published by Lily O'Brien's or its owner
- What we believe in (Lily O'Brien's) · search the archive · Made in Newbridge; Colian Group owner; palm oil only in some fillings, all segregated RSPO certified; general ethical sourcing promise
- Delivery (Lily O'Brien's) · search the archive · Delivers to Ireland, the UK and the USA only
Company details
- Owned by
- Colian Holding S.A.
- Headquarters
- Ireland
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Lily O'Brien's ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/lily-obriens, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Lily O'Brien's.