New Yorker sues Hershey over chocolate containing heavy metals

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A consumer has filed a lawsuit against Hershey, alleging that the corporation sold dark chocolate with dangerous levels of lead and cadmium.

Christopher Lazazzaro stated in a proposed class action filed on Wednesday that he would not have purchased or would have paid less for Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate, Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate, or both. 70% Cocoa and Extreme Dark Chocolate by Lily’s Hershey would have mentioned their metal levels if they used 85% cocoa.

Thursday, Hershey did not immediately reply to calls for comment on the federal court in Central Islip, New York-filed case.

According to several research, the antioxidants and relatively low sugar content of dark chocolate may help prevent cardiovascular disease.

Nassau County homeowner Lazazzaro filed suit two weeks after Consumer Reports revealed the results of lead and cadmium testing on 28 bars of dark chocolate.

While all 28 samples included heavy metals, 23 samples, including those from Dove, Godiva, Lindt, and Trader Joe’s, contained potentially hazardous levels of lead, cadmium, or both for persons who consume one ounce of chocolate daily.

The magazine reported that 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.

Lazazzaro stated that rational consumers would be repulsed by such amounts because they pose a “severe health risk” and that consumers rely on Hershey to provide accurate information about the chemicals in its products.

Under New York law, the complaint demands at least $5 million in damages, including at least $500 per transaction.

In June 2021, Hershey bought Lily’s for $425 million.

The attorneys for Lazazzaro did not reply quickly to demands for information, including whether other cases are planned.

»New Yorker sues Hershey over chocolate containing heavy metals«