Lindt & Sprüngli Faces US Lawsuit Over Child Labor Allegations in Cocoa Supply Chain

Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli is facing a U.S. lawsuit alleging it deceives consumers about its use of child labor in its cocoa supply chain, despite publicly promoting its commitment to responsible sourcing. The complaint, filed by the public interest law firm International Rights Advocates, was moved to a federal court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.

Details of the Allegations

The lawsuit claims that Lindt profits from and has been aware of child labor in its West African supply chain for more than two decades. According to the complaint, the company sources 100% of its consumer-grade cocoa beans from Ghana and also sources cocoa butter from the Ivory Coast, regions long associated with the practice.

The core of the legal challenge is the assertion that Lindt's marketing and corporate responsibility statements are misleading. The complaint argues that a "reasonable consumer" would not expect a company touting its ethical and socially responsible conduct to have widespread child labor in its supply chain. The lawsuit seeks to end Lindt's alleged "unlawful conduct" but is not seeking monetary damages.

Lindt's Response and Stated Policies

In a statement, a spokesperson for Lindt & Sprüngli said the company "takes the issue of child labor very seriously and strongly condemns all forms of child labor and denies the allegations in the complaint." The spokesperson added that Lindt has supplier protocols and systematically investigates suspected cases within its supply chain.

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The Kilchberg, Switzerland-based company publicly outlines its efforts in a 2030 Sustainability Plan and a "Modern Slavery Statement." These documents detail a strategy to reduce child labor risks, including its use of the Rainforest Alliance certification for farming practices.

Broader Context and Implications

This case is part of a wider legal effort targeting major corporations over supply chain ethics. International Rights Advocates has previously filed similar lawsuits against other major chocolate producers, including Mars, Mondelez, and Nestle, as well as companies in other sectors like Apple and Starbucks over alleged forced labor.

Terry Collingsworth, the executive director of the law firm, stated that his research indicated Lindt, like other major cocoa companies, has "great paper policies and virtually no implementation, particularly on the child labor issue." The lawsuit underscores the growing legal and reputational risks for global companies as consumers and regulators increase their scrutiny of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) claims.