Lindt Faces Child Labor Lawsuit in the United States

Swiss chocolate manufacturer Lindt faces a lawsuit in the United States. The company is accused of misleading consumers.

According to the plaintiffs, Lindt publicly states that it works on eliminating child labor and protecting human rights, yet a portion of its cocoa is produced using child labor in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.

According to the lawsuit, the company has known for more than 20 years that child labor exists in its supply chain, but despite this, it creates the opposite impression among consumers. The plaintiffs believe that the company also benefits economically from this practice.

The document states that Lindt sources cocoa beans entirely from Ghana for consumer products, while sourcing cocoa butter in part from Côte d'Ivoire. Both countries have been subjects of international criticism for years regarding the use of child labor.

The lawsuit was filed by the organization International Rights Advocates, which has brought similar cases against Mars, Mondelez, and Nestlé. According to the organization, major chocolate manufacturers have declared numerous policies and commitments against child labor, but their implementation in practice is often problematic.

Lindt denies the allegations. According to the company's statement, it condemns any form of child labor and has imposed strict requirements on suppliers. The plaintiffs are not seeking compensation. Their request is for the court to prohibit the company from making statements that, in their view, mislead consumers.

Source: Investing.com