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Lindt admitted that its chocolates contained heavy metals such as lead cadmium; May cause damage to liver and kidneys
Swiss chocolate maker Lindt is facing a class action lawsuit in the US over allegations of high levels of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium in its dark chocolate bars, raising health concerns. According to experts, continuous and prolonged exposure to certain amounts of heavy metals causes toxicity in your body, leading to dangerous consequences like liver and kidney damage. Read on to know more.
Heavy metals affect brain development, lower IQ in young children and cause developmental problems for pregnant women.
Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprungli – known worldwide for its premium chocolates – is embroiled in a legal battle after admitting that its chocolates contained traces of heavy metals like lead and cadmium. The revelation comes as part of the company’s defense in a class action lawsuit filed in the United States.
According to court documents, Lindt acknowledged that “lead and cadmium are unavoidable in the food supply.” However, the company has maintained that the trace amounts present in its products are within regulatory limits and do not qualify as significant safety violations.
The controversy began in 2022 when Consumer Reports published a study that exposed dangerously high levels of lead in Lindt’s Excellence Dark Chocolate 84 percent cocoa and cadmium in its Excellence Dark Chocolate 70 percent cocoa.
In 2023, a group of consumers in the US filed a class action lawsuit accusing Lindt of violating labeling laws in states such as Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, and New York. The plaintiffs alleged that Lindt deceived customers into paying a premium for a product that was not as exceptional as advertised.
Although the study also included other brands, it led to a class action lawsuit against Lindt.
According to experts, continuous and prolonged exposure to certain amounts of heavy metals like lead and cadmium can cause a number of health problems.
How to do Heavy metals affect your health,
Long-term exposure to heavy metals like lead and cadmium causes toxicity because they attach to parts of your cells that prevent your organs from doing their jobs. According to experts, the symptoms of heavy metal poisoning can be life-threatening, and they can cause irreversible damage.
Doctors say lead and cadmium are absorbed and accumulated by organs such as the kidneys and liver and are linked to a number of diseases, including heart disease and kidney dysfunction, as well as developmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.
While we use and interact with metals every day, some heavy metals are toxic because the molecules that make up the metals damage or negatively interact with cells in your body that help keep your organs functioning. are necessary for.
Signs and symptoms of heavy metal poisoning,
Doctors say the signs and symptoms are different for each type of metal and range in severity depending on your body’s exposure. Some of these include:
- stomach ache
- chills or low body temperature
- dehydration
- diarrhea and weakness
- nausea and vomiting
- scratchy feeling in your throat
- Numbness or prickling feeling in your hands and feet.
- abnormal heartbeat
- anemia
- brain damage and memory loss
- difficulty breathing
- Damage to kidney and liver
- abortion in pregnant women
- risk of developing cancer
How do heavy metals cause toxicity in your body?
According to experts, heavy metals accumulate in your blood or tissues, extending from your head to your toes.
They fight components like enzymes and proteins in your cells that are important for helping your organs function properly. If your organs are not able to do their job because they are being affected by heavy metals, you experience symptoms of heavy metal toxicity which can be life-threatening without treatment.
Ways to reduce the risk of metal poisoning
To reduce your risk of heavy metal poisoning, you can reduce your exposure to:
- Limit the amount of foods containing metals (mercury) in your diet, such as fish
- wash your hands before eating
- Read the labels on products you buy to see if they contain metals.
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