The chocolate and cocoa products company Hershey has been sued in the US over assertions that the firm is selling products containing harmful levels of metal. The lawsuit conveyed by Christopher Lazazzaro alleges that the firm misinformed consumers by failing to disclose the quantities of lead and cadmium in three of its dark chocolate bars.
Some studies suggest that the antioxidants and relatively low levels of sugar in dark chocolate could help prevent heart disease. But the lawsuit refers to recent findings by the US magazine Consumer Reports (CR), which tested 28 dark chocolate bars for lead and cadmium.
The magazine alleged that 23 of them, including chocolates from Hershey, Godiva, and Lindt, contained “comparatively higher levels” of the metals.
For 23 of the bars, eating just an ounce (28 g) a day would put an adult over a level that public health authorities and CR’s experts say may be harmful for at least one of those heavy metals. In particular, Hershey’s Special Dark bar and Lily’s 70% bar were high in lead, while Lily’s 85% bar was high in lead and cadmium.
“Any food can contain heavy metals if they are present in the soil in high concentration,” nutritionist Sheeba Majmudar said. “Currently, there are no food laws stating that all food batches need to be tested—until they make you sick.” “While no level of toxicity is safe, the “buyer beware” slogan comes to mind,” she added.
Lazazzaro’s lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York, alleges that he would not have bought or wanted to pay less for the Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate, Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa), and Lily’s Extreme Dark Chocolate bars.