KIND snack foods had a significant amount of lead in chocolate clusters, lawsuit claims

KIND, the snack bar company, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging high levels of lead in its Healthy Grains Dark Chocolate Clusters. Independent testing reportedly found 2.34 micrograms of lead per serving, exceeding California’s Proposition 65 limit of 0.5 micrograms, which is the maximum daily limit for reproductive toxicity. The lawsuit, filed by Jade Burnett, claims KIND failed to warn consumers about this contamination while marketing the product as a healthy snack.

Burnett argues consumers were misled into believing the clusters were safe and nutritious, and seeks damages and labeling changes. The suit aims to represent all purchasers of the product within the last four years, alleging deceptive advertising, breach of warranty, and unjust enrichment. KIND has not yet publicly responded to the allegations.

This lawsuit emerges alongside broader concerns about heavy metals in chocolate products, with a 2022 Consumer Reports study finding detectable lead and cadmium levels in several dark chocolate brands. Experts caution that even low lead exposure can negatively impact brain development, the nervous system, and reproductive health.

(Source：The Independent)