A collective lawsuit has been filed in the United States against Swiss chocolate maker Lindt.
The plaintiffs allege that the company’s dark chocolate contains unsafe levels of lead and cadmium.
Consumers claim they were misled into purchasing premium-priced products that may pose health risks. Lindt denies the allegations and insists its chocolates meet all applicable safety standards.
The lawsuit stems from a 2022 investigation by Consumer Reports, according to Digi24.
The study tested 28 dark chocolate bars sold in the U.S., revealing elevated levels of heavy metals in several products, including Lindt's.
While not among the worst offenders, Lindt’s dark chocolate showed levels of lead and cadmium that raised concerns. Two Lindt products under the U.S. brand Ghirardelli were classified as "safer choices" due to their lower metal content.
Absorbed by Cacao Plants
Heavy metals like lead and cadmium occur naturally in the environment and can contaminate food through soil, water, and air.
In cocoa, cadmium is absorbed by cacao plants from the soil, while lead contamination often happens after harvest, when cocoa beans are exposed to dust and soil during outdoor drying.
Dark chocolate tends to contain more heavy metals because it has a higher cocoa content than milk chocolate.
Consumers from states including California, New York, and Florida allege they paid premium prices for Lindt chocolate, believing it to be safe and high-quality.
They argue the company failed to disclose the presence of harmful metals, violating state labeling laws.
A New York District Court recently allowed the case to proceed, rejecting Lindt’s motion to dismiss.
In court, Lindt argued that phrases like “excellence” and “crafted by experts” on its packaging were general marketing claims. Critics say this undermines the company’s reputation for quality.
