Swiss chocolate company Lindt has been embroiled in controversy following accusations that its chocolate bars contain high levels of heavy metals. The company recently admitted that its chocolates contain traces of lead and cadmium.
According to court documents accessed by Nexstar, Lindt acknowledged that “lead and cadmium are unavoidable in the food supply.” The company stated that the trace amounts in its products fall within regulatory limits and do not constitute significant safety violations. Lindt also clarified that terms like “expertly crafted” are simply promotional language or “puffery” and should not be interpreted as guarantees.
A class action lawsuit was filed against Lindt & Sprüngli in 2023 by US consumers, who accused the chocolatier of misleading advertising, claiming that its products, which were marketed as “expertly crafted with the finest ingredients,” were nothing more than “puffery”—a legal term for exaggerated marketing claims that no reasonable consumer would take literally.
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The plaintiffs also accused the company of violating labelling regulations in states such as Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, and New York, arguing that consumers were paying a premium price for a product that did not meet expectations, according to AFP.
This controversy arose after a 2022 study by Consumer Reports, a non-profit organization, which found unusually high levels of lead in Lindt’s Excellence Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa and cadmium in its Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa. While the study also covered other brands, it led to the class action lawsuit against Lindt.
Consumer Reports noted that consistent and long-term exposure to even small amounts of heavy metals like lead and cadmium can result in various health issues.
Heavy metals are known to negatively impact brain development, lower IQ in young children, and cause developmental issues in pregnant women.
In adults, prolonged exposure to lead can lead to nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive issues. While most people don’t consume chocolate daily, those who do may be at higher risk of exposure to lead and cadmium, according to the NGO’s study.
The report indicated that Lindt’s Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa contained 116% of the recommended limit for cadmium and 48% for lead, while Excellence Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa contained 166% of the lead limit and 80% of the cadmium limit.
The study also revealed that lifelong cadmium intake could lead to its accumulation in the kidneys, causing kidney damage.
While common foods like sweet potatoes, spinach, and carrots also contain small amounts of heavy metals, the cumulative effect from multiple sources can result in dangerous levels in the body.
To reduce the risk of heavy metal exposure, the study suggests choosing chocolates with the lowest levels of lead and cadmium. “The risk comes with frequent consumption over time. Heavy metals are also in certain other foods, including many that are more nutritious and important to eat as a regular part of a healthy diet, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. So it’s best to eat dark chocolate only occasionally,” the study recommends.
Researchers also suggested opting for chocolates with lower cacao percentages, as tests showed that cadmium levels generally increase with higher cacao content. While this is not a guaranteed solution, it may help mitigate the risk.
They also advised against giving children too much dark chocolate and cautioned not to assume that organic chocolates are safer. “They were just as likely as other products to have concerning levels of heavy metals,” the study concluded.
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