A Washington, D.C. federal court is hearing a lawsuit accusing Swiss chocolate giant Lindt of spending decades misleading consumers about its fight against child labor.

The lawsuit, filed by International Rights Advocates, alleges that Lindt has knowingly profited from the child labor in its cocoa supply chain for more than two decades. It also claims the company continues to market itself to the public as an ethical brand.

The gap between promises and practice

In 2025, Lindt rolled out a 2030 Sustainability Plan which stated its commitment to support cocoa farmers in West Africa and mitigate risks associated with child labor. The company also published a “Modern Slavery Statement” outlining its tailored approach to reducing these risks, including compliance with Rainforest Alliance farming standards.

But according to the lawsuit, Lindt is aware of the child labor in its supply chain. The legal document states that 100% of the Lindt’s consumer-grade cocoa beans are sourced from Ghana and its cocoa butter is sourced from Ivory Coast.

According to the Independent, the complaint states:

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 labor in its cocoa supply chain.

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