Judge rejects class action lawsuit against Trader Joe’s for chocolate

In a recent legal development in San Diego, a federal judge made a decision regarding a class action lawsuit against Trader Joe’s. The lawsuit alleged that the popular grocery chain’s dark chocolate products contained harmful levels of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic. However, U.S. District Judge Ruth Bermudez Montenegro dismissed the case after Trader Joe’s filed a motion for summary judgment on March 27, 2025. The judge ruled that consumers should have been aware of the presence of heavy metals in dark chocolate due to widespread information available on the subject.

The plaintiffs initially filed the lawsuit against Trader Joe’s in 2023, claiming that the company failed to disclose potential risks to consumers regarding heavy metals in their products. The judge found that scientific studies, media reports, and consumer advocacy groups have been highlighting the issue of heavy metals in chocolate for years. Organizations like Consumer Reports and As You Sow have consistently reported high levels of heavy metals across various chocolate brands, including those available at Trader Joe’s. Therefore, the court deemed that Trader Joe’s wasn’t solely responsible for this knowledge.

One of the arguments presented by the plaintiffs involved Trader Joe’s allegedly failing to test its products for heavy metals and relying on vendors to meet regulatory standards. Nevertheless, the court dismissed this claim, emphasizing the widespread availability of information on the issue. Furthermore, the plaintiffs contended that Illinois law permitted claims based on omissions from product labels, but the judge clarified that direct communication containing the omission is required, which was not present in this case.

Following the dismissal of the lawsuit, Trader Joe’s has chosen not to comment publicly on the ruling, and it remains unclear whether the plaintiffs will pursue an appeal. This legal decision underlines the importance of consumer awareness regarding product safety information. Despite the concern over heavy metals in chocolate, the court’s ruling suggests that companies cannot be expected to bear sole responsibility if information regarding product safety concerns is openly available to consumers. The case serves as a reminder for consumers to remain vigilant and informed about the products they consume, especially when it comes to potential health risks associated with food items.