Lindt Can’t Dodge Dark Chocolate Lead Levels Deception Lawsuit

Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc. failed to convince a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the confectionery company’s dark chocolate bars contain significant amounts of lead and were falsely advertised as “expertly crafted with the finest ingredients” and “safe, as well as delightful.”

Those statements, along with other packaging phrases highlighting the safety and quality of ingredients in 70% and 85% cocoa bars, were enough to allege that reasonable consumers could be misled into purchasing the chocolate, the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York said Sept. 6.

The consumers’ proposed class action is part of ...