Full Breakdown
Lindt & Sprüngli Sued in U.S. Court Over Child-Labor Claims in Cocoa Supply Chain
7/24/2026, 2:38:14 AM
Lawsuit Over Alleged Child-Labor Misrepresentations
A complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on July 21 alleges that Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli AG misleads consumers about its efforts to eliminate child labour in cocoa sourced from Ghana and the Ivory Coast.
Complaint Details and Allegations
The complaint asserts that Lindt has known for more than 20 years that its cocoa is produced with child labour and that the company profits from the practice. It further states that Lindt sources 100 percent of its consumer-grade cocoa beans from Ghana and obtains cocoa butter from the Ivory Coast. According to the filing, Lindt’s marketing and packaging convey a commitment to “children’s rights” and “human rights” while the underlying supply chain continues to rely on child labour.
Lindt’s Official Response
The company’s website references a 2030 Sustainability Plan and a “Modern Slavery Statement” that outline strategies to support West African cocoa farmers and to honor Rainforest Alliance certification standards intended to mitigate child-labour risks.
Advocacy Group’s Critique
The firm has previously pursued litigation against chocolate makers Mars, Mondelez and Nestlé on similar grounds.
Context and Potential Impact
The lawsuit arrives amid broader scrutiny of multinational corporations’ human-rights practices in West Africa. In Switzerland, recent public-interest campaigns have revived a plebiscite on corporate liability for overseas environmental and human-rights impacts. While the current case does not seek damages, a successful injunction could require Lindt to alter its marketing claims and strengthen supply-chain oversight, potentially influencing industry standards for cocoa sourcing.
