Christopher Lazazzaro, a resident of Nassau County, New York, is taking legal action against Hershey for allegedly selling chocolate bars with high levels of lead and cadmium, according to the Daily Mail.
In a class action lawsuit, Lazazzaro stated that he would not have purchased the dark chocolate bars if he had been aware of the metal content, and is seeking damages of at least $5 million.
The lawsuit specifically mentions the presence of harmful metals in Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate 70 percent and Lily’s Extreme Dark Chocolate 85 percent.
This legal action was prompted by a study that found that a number of popular chocolate brands, including Hershey, Ghirardelli, Lindt, Dove, Godiva, and Trader Joe’s, sold dark chocolate bars containing either cadmium or lead, which Lazazzaro believes pose a serious health risk.
According to a Consumer Reports investigation, 23 out of the 28 tested chocolate bars (82%) contained lead and cadmium levels that exceeded recommended limits. High levels of these heavy metals can pose serious health risks, such as the increased risk of kidney and brain damage, bone and lung diseases, and anemia.
Hershey’s chocolate bars are a well-known treat among children, but the potential presence of lead in these products is a serious concern. Lead exposure can have severe consequences for children, particularly in terms of brain development, the functioning of the nervous system, and the health of other vital organs. It can also lead to behavioral issues and a decrease in IQ.
It is concerning to consider how these toxic metals ended up in chocolate bars and why it was not brought to the public’s attention sooner. It was only after a New Yorker, Christopher Lazazzaro, filed a class action lawsuit that the issue came to light. It is important for consumers to be aware of the potential presence of these harmful metals in chocolate and to take steps to protect their health.
