Swiss chocolate manufacturer Lindt is facing backlash due to allegations regarding high levels of heavy metals discovered in its chocolate products. The company recently acknowledged that its chocolates contain small amounts of lead and cadmium.
As stated in court documents obtained by Nexstar, Lindt conceded that "lead and cadmium are unavoidable in the food supply." The company asserted that the minute quantities found in its items are within regulatory standards and do not constitute significant safety breaches.
Lindt also emphasised that expressions like "expertly crafted" are simply advertising language or "puffery" and should not be taken as assurances.
In 2023, a class action lawsuit was initiated against Lindt & Sprüngli by US consumers who claimed that the company's products, marketed as "expertly crafted with the finest ingredients," were merely exaggerated claims - a legal notion that refers to overstated marketing statements that no reasonable consumer would interpret literally.
According to the news agency AFP, the consumers also accused the company of breaching labelling regulations in states such as Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, and New York, alleging that they charged a premium for a subpar product.
This development followed a 2022 study conducted by Consumer Reports, a non-profit organisation, which examined chemicals in dark chocolate and found that Lindt contained alarmingly high levels of lead in its Excellence Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa, and cadmium in its Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa.
While the study included several brands, it prompted a class action lawsuit against Lindt.
According to Consumer Reports, ongoing and long-term exposure to even trace amounts of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium can result in various health issues.
Heavy metals are known to impact brain development, potentially diminish IQ in young children, and lead to developmental challenges for pregnant women.
In adults, repeated exposure to lead can result in nervous system complications, high blood pressure, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive problems. Although not many individuals consume chocolate daily, those who do it frequently might face higher exposure to lead and cadmium, as suggested by the NGO's findings.
The report indicated that Lindt's Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa had cadmium levels at 116% and lead at 48%, whereas the Excellence Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa had lead levels at 166% and cadmium at 80%.
A study indicated that lifelong consumption of cadmium could cause its buildup in the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney damage.
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