Tony's Chocolonely Milk Caramel Sea Salt

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Caramel Sea Salt is a distinctively packaged chocolate bar known for its vibrant orange wrapper and its serious mission to combat modern slavery in the cocoa industry. The brand was founded in 2005 in Amsterdam by Dutch journalist Teun van de Keuken as a direct response to his investigations into illegal child labor and exploitation on West African cocoa farms. The name 'Tony' is an English variation of the founder's name, 'Teun', while 'Chocolonely' refers to his initial feeling of being the lone voice in the industry advocating for 100% slave-free chocolate.

The bars are primarily manufactured in Belgium, often specifically at the Alprose factory or Kim's Chocolates, using cocoa beans sourced from cooperatives in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Tony's unique 'Open Chain' initiative allows other companies to join their ethical sourcing model, emphasizing transparency and fair prices for farmers.

Ownership of the brand has evolved from a founder-led social enterprise into a venture-backed global entity. As of 2026, the majority owner is the Belgian investment firm Verlinvest, which holds a controlling stake in the company. To ensure the brand remains committed to its original social mission regardless of ownership changes, Tony's implemented a 'Mission Lock' legal structure, giving an independent foundation the power to veto decisions that might compromise its core values.