A Nassau County man is suing Hershey Co. over allegations that their dark chocolate contains harmful levels of heavy metals.
Christopher Lazazzaro filed a class action lawsuit in the federal court in Central Islip, New York last Wednesday after Consumer Reports revealed that all 28 dark chocolate bars they had scientifically tested contained varying levels of lead and cadmium.
23 of the bars in question – including ones from Dove, Godiva, Lindt and Trader Joe’s – contained “potentially harmful” levels of the metals for those who eat at least one ounce of chocolate a day.
The report also showed that Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate was high in lead, and that Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa, and Lily’s Extreme Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa – chocolate brands owned by Hershey – were high in lead and cadmium.
Lazazzaro – who said that Hershey had an obligation to their customers to disclose the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals in their products – is seeking $5 million in damages.
