The Bitter Truth: Lindt Chocolate Lead Scandal – Does Dark Chocolate Contain Lead?
The Scandal: What It Means for Chocolate Safety and Consumer Health
Recent concerns over lead in chocolate have been brought to the forefront by the current Lindt lead scandal, highlighting how even premium brands can sometimes contain trace amounts of heavy metals, prompting consumers to question the safety and sourcing practices behind their favorite treats.
No, not all dark chocolate contains lead, but it is possible for dark chocolate to have trace amounts of lead due to contamination during the manufacturing process. Lead is a naturally occurring element that can be found in soil and water, and cocoa plants can absorb it from their environment. Additionally, lead can sometimes come from the equipment used during processing.
That said, reputable chocolate manufacturers usually test their products to ensure that they meet safety standards for heavy metals, including lead. The levels of lead that might be found in dark chocolate are typically very low, and in many cases, the amounts are below regulatory limits set by health authorities, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The amount of lead in dark chocolate often correlates with the percentage of cocoa. Dark chocolate with higher cocoa content, like 70% or more, may have a slightly higher chance of containing trace amounts of lead because cocoa beans are more likely to absorb contaminants. However, these levels are generally considered to be safe in the small quantities people typically consume.
If you are concerned about lead or other heavy metals, look for brands that prioritize sourcing from farms that follow strict environmental standards or that perform third-party testing to ensure their products are within safe limits.
Lindt Admits ‘Excellence’ Claims Are Just ‘Puffery’ in Lawsuit Over Lead Levels in Chocolate
Lindt, the Swiss chocolatier famed for its premium chocolates, is facing legal trouble after a class-action lawsuit revealed troubling levels of lead and cadmium in some of its dark chocolate bars. In a bid to dismiss the case, Lindt’s lawyers made an eyebrow-raising admission: the company’s claims of “excellence” and “expert craftsmanship” are little more than marketing “puffery”—exaggerated advertising that no reasonable consumer would take seriously.
This revelation comes after Consumer Reports found that Lindt’s Excellence Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa and Excellence Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa contained high levels of lead and cadmium, heavy metals linked to serious health risks. The lawsuit, filed by consumers in early 2023, accuses Lindt of misleading shoppers into believing its premium chocolates were both high-quality and safe—only to find out they contained harmful substances.
Lindt’s ‘Puffery’ Defense
In legal terms, “puffery” refers to exaggerated claims that are not meant to be taken literally by consumers. Lindt’s lawyers argued that the phrases “excellence” and “expertly crafted with the finest ingredients” were simply marketing tools, meant to convey the brand’s premium image, not literal promises of lead-free chocolate. According to the court ruling, these claims amounted to “blustering and boasting upon which no reasonable buyer would rely.”
Lindt’s spokesperson clarified, “Our messaging emphasizes premium quality, but we never intended it to imply our products are free of trace amounts of heavy metals. That’s just part of chocolate-making—like cocoa itself, which can absorb substances from the soil.” Essentially, Lindt is saying: don’t take our ‘excellence’ too literally.
The Consumer Reports Findings
The lawsuit followed a Consumer Reports study in December 2022, which tested 28 popular dark chocolate bars for heavy metals. Lindt’s 70% and 85% cocoa bars were flagged as having “high” levels of lead and cadmium—substances linked to serious health risks, particularly for children. The report caused alarm as heavy metals can accumulate in the body over time, leading to developmental and neurological problems.
While other brands, like Ghirardelli’s Intense Dark Chocolate, were recommended as “safer choices,” the lawsuit argued that consumers paid a premium for Lindt’s supposed “quality and safety,” only to discover they were ingesting potentially dangerous levels of toxins.
Lawsuit and Legal Fallout
The class-action lawsuit, filed in states like California, New York, and Florida, accuses Lindt of misleading advertising. Consumers argue they paid extra for Lindt’s reputation of excellence, only to find their chocolate contained toxic metals.
Lindt’s attempt to dismiss the case based on the puffery defense didn’t succeed. “We trusted Lindt to deliver a safe product,” said lead plaintiff Emily Thompson. “Instead, we got a health risk wrapped in fancy packaging.”
Lindt’s Response: A Mix of Humor and Deflection
In response to the lawsuit, Lindt maintained that its chocolate is safe to eat, emphasizing that the levels of lead and cadmium found were within regulatory limits. The company also took a lighthearted approach, with one spokesperson joking, “While we stand by the quality of our chocolate, let’s be clear—excellence doesn’t mean our products are perfect. It just means they’re better than your average candy bar. And maybe don’t expect them to be totally free of trace metals—after all, everything has something in it.”
This tongue-in-cheek response has been met with some confusion. “It’s almost like Lindt is saying, ‘Sure, it contains a little lead, but it’s still the best,’” said attorney Lisa Gomez, who represents the plaintiffs. “It’s a bit hard to swallow, given the health risks.”