Trader Joe’s sued after toxic metals were found in its dark chocolate bars

Trader Joe’s is facing two lawsuits accusing the grocery chain of selling dark chocolate products that contain harmful levels of toxic metals.

Both suits were filed in New York this week and came just weeks after a watchdog found two of the store’s products contained lead and cadmium.

The plaintiffs allege that Trader Joe’s misled and endangered shoppers by exposing them to the contaminants, and are seeking at least $5million in damages.

Exposure to the pair of chemicals has been linked to organ damage and early death – though there is no indication eating a single chocolate bar could cause harm.

A lawsuit against Hershey’s based on the same report by Consumer Reports was filed in the Empire State last week. 

Consumer Reports found that Trader Joe’s The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate 85% Cacao (left) has high levels of cadmium and Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao (right) has high levels of lead

The above graphic shows the 28 chocolate bars tested by New York-based nonprofit Consumer Reports. All were found to contain lead and cadmium. Consumer Reports compared levels of the heavy metal in about an ounce of the chocolates to the recommended daily exposure levels from the Californian Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. These are not set specifically for food products, but overall

Cadmium is a natural element found in soil that is sometimes absorbed by the roots of the plant and ends up in cocoa beans. 

Lead contaminates the beans though the environment, possibly when it is blown by wind as the beans dry in the open. 

The Consumer Reports revelation last month found Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao to be high in lead, and Trader Joe’s The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate 85% Cacao to be high in both lead and cadmium. 

Tamakia Herd filed a suit against Trader Joe’s in Manhattan federal court today.

Thomas Ferrante, the plaintiff in the second suit, filed his case in Brooklyn earlier this week.

Mr Ferrante said he bought both products after reading their labels, and would not have done so or would have paid less had he known their contents said in the lawsuit. 

‘High levels of lead and cadmium in food products is material to reasonable consumers, because these chemicals pose serious health risk, even in small dosages,’ he said.

Like the case against Hershey’s, filed last week by Nassau County resident Christopher Lazazzaro, Mr Ferrante and Ms Herd are seeking at least $5 million in damages, including at least $500 per transaction under New York law.

Mr Lazazzaro said last week excess metal levels would turn off reasonable consumers because they pose a ‘serious health risk’.

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

Consistent exposure to these metals pose a serious health risk. Lead and cadmium exposure is linked to an increased risk of kidney and brain damage, bone and lung diseases, and anemia.

Lead exposure is most dangerous to children as it can severely impact the development of their brain, nervous system and other vital organs. 

It can also cause behavioral problems as well as lower IQ and hyperactivity.

These issues only arise after repeated exposure, though. A person who has occasionally indulged in one of the chocolates included in the Consumer Reports revelation is likely ok. 

Dark chocolate has been touted for its myriad health benefits. 

Cocoa can lower your blood pressure and keep your heart healthy by making veins and arteries stretchier – thanks to antioxidants known as flavanols.

Scientists have also shown that regularly eating dark chocolate can improve alertness — with a 100g-sized bar having nearly as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.

It has also been linked with making people happier and reducing the risk of depression.