Chocolate
In 2019 Asian private equity firm MBK Partners purchased retail and distribution operations for four of Godiva's 100-plus markets; Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
Company Ownership
Godiva Asia Pacific
KOR
MBK Partners Ltd
owns 100% of Godiva Asia Pacific
KOR
Private equity firm
Established in 2005 by Michael ByungJu Kim, a South Korean billionaire businessman. Acquired the Asia-Pacific arm of Godiva chocolates in 2019.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Apr 2025)
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Godiva Asia Pacific
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Lead in chocolate
In 2022 Consumer Reports, an independent nonprofit member organisation, tested 28 dark chocolate bars for lead and cadmium. Products by this company were found to contain unsafe levels of lead.
Source: Consumer Reports
(2022)
Chocolate scorecard
Be Slavery Free's 2025 Chocolate Scorecard ranks companies based on traceability and transparency across supply chains, whether they pay farmers a living income, efforts to prevent the use of child labour, action on climate and deforestation, how they support agroforestry, and eliminating the use of harmful pesticides. This company received a score of 55%, giving it a yellow rating: "Starting to develop and implement good policies."
Source: Be Slavery Free
(2025)
MBK Partners Ltd
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UN Principles for Responsible Investment signatory
UNPRI is a set of six principles direct institutional investors may adopt to consider environmental, social and corporate governance issues when investing. UNPRI is a voluntary agreement.
Source: UNPRI
(2020)
Company Details
Contact Details
Address:
Republic of Korea
Products / Brands
Godiva Asia Pacific
Godiva
Chocolate