The American Environmental Safety Institute has filed a lawsuit against three of the nation's leading chocolate manufacturers alleging their products contain dangerous levels of lead and cadmium. The lawsuit, which names Nestle USA Inc., Hershey Foods Corp. and Kraft Foods North America Inc., was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The environmental group is seeking the addition of warning labels on products containing the potentially toxic substances.

Attorneys representing the companies say the products contain minute levels of the two metals and present no danger to consumers. A spokesperson for the Safety Institute insists the levels of lead and cadmium are a clear "danger to the health of our children."