A powerful legal battle is brewing that could forever change your morning coffee routine as major U.S. brands face accusations of profiting from modern slavery in Brazil.

At a Glance

• Coffee Watch has petitioned the Trump administration to block Brazilian coffee imports due to alleged forced labor in supply chains
• Starbucks, Nestle, Dunkin’, Illy, McDonald’s, and Jacobs Douwe Egberts are all named in the complaint
• International Rights Advocates filed a separate lawsuit against Starbucks on behalf of eight Brazilian workers
• “Gatos” (illegal labor brokers) are accused of trapping workers in debt bondage and dangerous conditions
• Starbucks denies the allegations, citing its third-party verification program

Major Coffee Brands Accused of Profiting from Forced Labor

A watchdog group called Coffee Watch has filed formal complaints with the Trump administration seeking to block coffee imports from Brazil, alleging that major U.S. coffee brands benefit from forced labor in their supply chains. The petition specifically targets industry giants including Starbucks, Nestle, Dunkin’, Illy, McDonald’s, and Jacobs Douwe Egberts. The advocacy group claims these companies rely on coffee produced under conditions tantamount to modern-day slavery, with vulnerable workers subjected to exploitation, dangerous conditions, and debt bondage.

In a parallel legal action, International Rights Advocates has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks in federal court on behalf of eight Brazilian workers who allege they worked under forced labor conditions. The lawsuit seeks class action status that could potentially represent thousands of workers who claim to have experienced similar exploitation. These coordinated legal actions represent one of the most significant challenges to the coffee industry’s labor practices in recent years.

“This isn’t about a few bad actors. We’re exposing an entrenched system that traps millions in extreme poverty and thousands in outright slavery.”, said Etelle Higonnet.

Inside Brazil’s Coffee Labor System

The complaints detail a troubling system within Brazil’s coffee industry that relies on illegal labor brokers known as “gatos.” These intermediaries target impoverished communities, promising lucrative employment opportunities on coffee plantations. However, once workers arrive, they often discover harsh realities far from what was promised. Many find themselves trapped in debt bondage, charged exorbitant fees for transportation, housing, food, and tools, with these expenses deducted from already meager wages.

Workers frequently face deplorable living conditions without basic amenities like clean water or adequate shelter. Many report working extremely long hours, sometimes 12-14 hours daily, with inadequate protection from pesticides and dangerous equipment. Those who attempt to leave or report abuses may face threats or intimidation. Brazilian authorities have already blacklisted numerous coffee producers for maintaining slave-like labor conditions, but the seasonal nature of coffee harvesting makes comprehensive monitoring challenging.

“Starbucks needs to be accountable. There is a massive trafficking and forced labor system in Brazil that the company benefits from.”, said Terry Collingsworth.

Corporate Responses and Implications

Starbucks has vigorously denied the allegations, pointing to its Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices verification program as evidence of its commitment to ethical sourcing. The company insists that its supply chain undergoes robust third-party verification and audits designed to prevent labor abuses. However, advocates argue that the coffee supply chain’s complexity and lack of transparency enable exploitation to continue despite corporate ethical sourcing claims.

“The cornerstone of our work is our Coffee and Farmer Equity (C.A.F.E.) Practices verification program, which was developed with outside experts and includes robust third-party verification and audits.”, said Amber Stafford.

The legal actions are supported by extensive documentation from Brazilian authorities, nonprofit organizations, and investigative journalists who have tracked labor abuses in the coffee industry for years. If successful, these complaints could disrupt a significant portion of America’s coffee supply chain and force major corporate changes. Beyond immediate business impacts, the cases highlight how everyday consumer products may be connected to exploitative labor practices abroad, raising questions about corporate responsibility in global supply chains and Americans’ role as ethical consumers.