If you follow the world of fine chocolates, then you might know of Mast Brothers, a leading brand of artisanal chocolate manufactured in Brooklyn, New York. The bars go for around $10 a pop, and they feature signature packaging, wrapped in beautiful vintage paper. For a lot of people, spending a Hamilton on a piece of chocolate seems a bit daffy, but for others, Mast Brothers chocolate is the equivalent of a nice bottle of wine, or simply a kind of status symbol—either one is affluent enough to eat $10 chocolate, or one is cool enough that if you must be seen with a high-end chocolate bar, then Mast Brothers is the brand to accessorize with.
Their makers, Rick and Michael Mast, are the poster boys for the hipster artisanal movement, manufacturing their chocolate in small batches using single sources of cacao beans imported by sailboat, all while sporting enormous beards, dressing in vaguely quasi-amish garb, loudly proclaiming a dedication to purity and simplicity, and initially selling their bars at various outdoor markets. Since then, however, the Masts have become a successful chocolate brand, earning plenty of media adoration and love from celebrity chefs. Longstanding concerns over the authenticity of Mast Brothers’ products, however, have erupted into a full bore repetitional scandal that could threaten the long term value of the entire company. It is the kind of thing that a solid compliance program could have avoided.
