Swiss chocolate maker Lindt misleads consumers about child labour, US lawsuit claims

NEW YORK - Lindt has been sued in a US court over its alleged use of child labour in Ghana and Ivory Coast, even as the Swiss chocolate maker touts its commitment to responsibly sourcing ingredients.

According to a complaint moved to the Washington, DC federal court on July 21, Lindt falsely assures consumers it is trying to eliminate child labour from its supply chain and is committed to children’s rights and human rights generally.

The complaint also said Lindt has known for more than 20 years that its cocoa is produced with child labour and profits from the practice.

“A reasonable consumer would not expect a company ‘committed to respecting human rights’ and ‘conducting business in an ethical, legal and environmentally and socially responsible manner’ to use widespread child labour in its cocoa supply chain,” the complaint said.

According to the complaint, Lindt sources 100 per cent of its consumer-grade cocoa beans from Ghana and sources cocoa butter from Ivory Coast.

International Rights Advocates, a public interest law firm, filed the lawsuit.

It has also pursued cases accusing chocolate makers Mars, Mondelez and Nestle of relying on child labour.

“Lindt & Sprungli takes the issue of child labour very seriously and strongly condemns all forms of child labour and denies the allegations in the complaint,” a Lindt spokesperson said in an email on July 23.

“We have supplier protocols in place, and we systematically investigate suspected cases of child labour in our supply chain.”

The Kilchberg, Switzerland-based company’s website contains a 2030 Sustainability Plan that discusses Lindt’s efforts to support cocoa farmers in West Africa and reduce risks from child labour.

Lindt also publishes a “Modern Slavery Statement” that discusses its “tailored strategy” to reduce the risks, including by honouring the Rainforest Alliance certification for farming practices.

The lawsuit seeks to end Lindt’s alleged “unlawful conduct directed at DC consumers,” and does not seek damages.

Terry Collingsworth, executive director of International Rights Advocates, said in an email that his research “confirmed that Lindt, like the other major cocoa companies, has great paper policies and virtually no implementation, particularly on the child labour issue.”

His firm has also sued Apple, Cargill and Starbucks over alleged forced labour in their supply chains. REUTERS