Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the California consumer health group As You Sow has filed legal notices against large chocolate manufacturers alleging the companies violated California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act for not warning consumers about high levels of lead and cadmium in company products.
“Nobody expects heavy metals in their chocolate,” said Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow. “By issuing these notices, we hope to convince chocolate manufacturers to either remove or reduce heavy metals in their products through sound supply chain practices, or provide warnings so consumers can make their own choices about whether to consume the products.”