Lindt & Sprüngli is involved in a class action lawsuit in the United States over the presence of cadmium and lead in two dark chocolate bars. Consumers in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada and New York filed the lawsuit in February 2023, after a Consumer Reports report found high levels of heavy metals in some chocolate bars. Of the products tested, one Lindt was found to be among the highest in cadmium and another in lead, while two other bars were found to be among the safest.
Lindt disputed the claims, saying its products meet safety standards. However, consumers say they would not have purchased the bars or would have paid less if they had known about the possible metals. Lindt attempted to dismiss the lawsuit, but a New York court rejected the claim in September.
In addition to Lindt, Mars and Godiva have also been sued. Consumer Reports noted that cadmium and lead can be found in soil and that prolonged exposure to these metals is risky, especially for pregnant women and children, due to potential damage to the nervous, immune and kidney systems.
