Francesca Biagioli Lindt is at the center of a class action in the United States, accused of hiding high levels of heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, in its chocolate
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The name Lindt is synonymous with high-quality chocolate, loved by people all over the world for its smooth taste and iconic packaging. However, Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli now finds itself at the center of a class-action lawsuit in the United States over elevated levels of heavy metals detected in its dark chocolate bars.
Consumer reports investigation
In 2022, CR-the U.S-based nonprofit consumer protection organization-conducted an analysis of 28 dark chocolate bars sold in the U.S., including those of Lindt. The results were alarming: high levels of lead and cadmium-two toxic metals with serious health implications.
“To assess the risk of the chocolates, we used California’s MADLs-per ounce-for lead, 0.5 micrograms, and cadmium, 4.1 mcg. Those levels are the most protective among the few available, since currently no federal limits exist for lead and cadmium in food,” CR said in the report.
Lindt was not the only brand that was red-flagged. Other names included Tony’s Chocolonely, Lily’s, Godiva, and Green & Black’s, which also had concerning levels of contamination. In the same breath, some brands came out as safe options.
Why Lindt is in the limelight
The reputation of Lindt as a maker of premium chocolate put it right in the crosshairs. Their 85% dark chocolate bar also ranked among the worst performances in the CR test, with lead at 166% of the allowable limit and cadmium at 80%.
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According to Consumer Reports, Lindt may have been aware of the issue since 2014 but did nothing to fix it.
Lindt’s response and attempts to dismiss the lawsuit
After February 2023, following the findings by Consumer Reports, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the company in the U.S. The company then tried to dismiss the lawsuit by claiming it had never said its products were heavy-metal-free.
The use of phrases like “excellence” and “crafted with the finest ingredients” on Lindt packaging was also justified, with the company arguing these were marketing hyperbole and could not amount to liability.
However, the U.S. District Court for New York dismissed this argument by Lindt, implying that the company may be taking advantage of the consumer’s confidence in its brand’s quality.
Heavy metals in chocolate: taking responsibility
The presence of lead and cadmium in dark chocolate is an intricate problem but not impossible to solve. Various solutions under consideration include:
- Sourcing cacao from cleaner soils with low levels of heavy metals.
- Improving agricultural practices to minimize contamination
Transparency in safety testing, investment in innovative ways to reduce those risks, such as lab-grown cacao beans. This would offer the market safer products and would protect the prestige of a premium chocolate brand like Lindt.
Source: Barron’s
