A New York man is suing Hershey after tests showed its dark chocolate bars contained toxic metals

A New York man has sued chocolate giant Hershey for continuing to market products containing harmful levels of lead and cadmium.

Christopher Lazazzaro of Nassau County filed a proposed class-action lawsuit Wednesday, saying he would not have bought the company’s dark chocolate bars if it had disclosed the metal content on the labels.

Mr. Lazazzaro is seeking damages of at least US$5 million, including at least US$500 per transaction under New York law. The bars in question are: Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate 70 percent cocoa and Lily’s Extreme Dark Chocolate 85 percent cocoa.

The lawsuit was filed two weeks after an investigation found that dark chocolate bars from 28 different popular brands, including Hershey, Ghirardelli, Lindt, Dove, Godiva and Trader Joe’s, contained levels of the metals cadmium or lead.

According to Consumer Reports, Lily’s 70% bar was high in lead and Lily’s 85% bar was high in lead and cadmium

The power of cocoa: how dark chocolate is REALLY good for you

More and more studies are showing that the dark variety has a wide range of health benefits, from heart and brain health to increasing alertness and brightening your sex life.

Lazazzaro said excessive levels of metals would deter prudent consumers because they pose a “serious health risk”.

Twenty-three of the bars tested in the Consumer Reports Watchdog probe (82 percent) contained up to two-and-a-half times higher levels of lead and up to three times higher levels of cadmium.

Cadmium is a natural element in soil that is sometimes taken up by the plant’s roots and ends up in cocoa beans.

Lead contaminates the beans through the environment, possibly when it is blown by the wind into surrounding areas when the beans are drying outside.

There is currently no national limit set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for lead and cadmium in candy bars.

Constant exposure to heavy metals poses serious health risks, such as: B. an increased risk of kidney and brain damage, bone and lung diseases and anemia.

Lead exposure is most dangerous for children as it can seriously affect the development of their brain, nervous system and other vital organs. It can also cause behavioral problems, as well as lower IQ and hyperactivity.

The image above shows the 28 candy bars tested by the New York-based nonprofit Consumer Reports. They all contained lead and cadmium. Consumer Reports compared the heavy metal levels in about an ounce of the chocolate to the recommended daily exposure levels of the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. It was not food specific, but globally determined

Dark chocolate is touted for its numerous health benefits. Cacao can lower your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy by making arteries and veins more flexible – thanks to antioxidants known as flavanols.

Scientists have also shown that regular consumption of dark chocolate can improve alertness – a 100g bar contains almost as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. It has also been linked to making people happier and reducing the risk of depression.