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hristopher Lazazzaro, a Nassau County native, has sued famous chocolate brand Hershey’s, claiming that the company continues to market products that contain harmful levels of lead and cadmium. The complainant filed the suit on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, and said that he wouldn’t have purchased the company’s dark chocolate bars if it had listed the metal contents on its labels.
According to Daily Mail, Lazazzaro is now seeking $5 million which also has at least $500 per transaction under New York law. Lazazzaro claimed that the company’s Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate 70 percent Cocoa bars and Lily’s Extreme Dark Chocolate 85 percent Cocoa bars have high levels of toxic metals. He further said that the excess metal levels would not impress reasonable consumers as they pose a “serious health risk.”
Meanwhile, there currently is no national limit on lead and cadmium in chocolate bars set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, consistent exposure to heavy metals might lead to complex health issues, such as the increased risk of kidney and brain damage, bone and lung diseases, and anemia, as per Daily Mail. Further, exposure to lead is extremely dangerous specifically to children. It can affect the growth and development of the brain, nervous system, and other vital organs. It can also cause behavioral problems, IQ, and hyperactivity. On the other hand, Cocoa can lower blood pressure and keep your heart healthy.
