Lindt Chocolate Lawsuit: ‘Excellence’ Claim Called Puffery due to Lead Levels

Swiss chocolate maker Lindt has been in the spotlight recently due to concerns over heavy metal contamination in its chocolate bars. In response to a class-action lawsuit, Lindt’s lawyers admitted that the claims of “excellence” and being “expertly crafted with the finest ingredients” on their packaging are just considered “puffery” in the legal world – basically exaggerated advertising that no reasonable buyer would take as fact.

The lawsuit followed a report by Consumer Reports in December 2022, which found cadmium and lead in all 28 chocolate bars tested. Lindt’s Excellence Dark Chocolate bars were highlighted as having high levels of these heavy metals. While Lindt’s parent company, Ghirardelli, had two bars listed as safer choices, the consumers involved in the lawsuit argued that they paid a premium for Lindt’s products under the assumption that they were buying high-quality and safe dark chocolate.

Despite the legal back and forth, Lindt maintains that its products meet all safety standards and quality requirements. The company states that their quality and safety procedures ensure that all products are safe for consumption.

While the legal argument may have been a technical response, Lindt still affirms its commitment to excellence and using the finest ingredients in its chocolate. Producers can reduce heavy metal levels in chocolate by sourcing cocoa beans from regions with lower heavy metal content and implementing clean farming practices.

These recent events highlight the importance of transparency and accurate labeling in the food industry. It’s crucial for consumers to be able to trust the products they purchase, especially when it comes to their health and well-being.