New research found a considerable presence of “dangerous” heavy metals in several popular dark chocolate bars, including Hershey’s and Trader Joe’s.
Research from Consumer Reports, released on Thursday, found the presence of two heavy metals, cadmium and lead, linked with numerous health problems in adults and children, in all 28 popular dark chocolate brands tested. While all contained traces of lead and cadmium, some contained much more than others. The test used California’s maximum allowable dose level (MADL); 0.5 micrograms of lead and 4.1 mcg of cadmium.
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Of those surveyed, Mast, Taza Chocolate, Ghirardelli, and Valrhona were the safest choices, all containing various amounts of both levels that were below California’s MADL. Every other brand tested contained levels above the MADL.
The most dangerous candy was Hershey’s, which contained 265% the MADL of lead. Other outliers in the lead category included Chocolove (240% MADL of lead), Hu (210% MADL of lead), and Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate (192% MADL of lead). In terms of cadmium, Pascha was the most dangerous at 253% the MADL of the metal, while Alter Eco (204% MADL of cadmium) was a close second.
Some surveyed stuck out as having dangerous levels of both metals. Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate contained 229% the MADL of cadmium and 127% the MADL of lead. Green and Black’s, Theo, and Lily’s also contained dangerous levels of both.
Extended exposure of young children and pregnant women to lead and cadmium is tied to developmental problems, negative effects on brain development, and lower IQ. Lead exposure in adults can lead to nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.
As the report explains, cadmium creeps into cacao, the central ingredient of chocolate, as it grows in the soil. Lead, meanwhile, finds its way onto the outside of the cacao bean as it lays to dry in the sun after harvesting through airborne dust carrying the dangerous metal. As such, it’s much easier to prevent lead exposure to cacao, by drying it in a secure place safe from airborne dust.
Preventing cadmium exposure requires surveying different cacao-growing regions and choosing those with the least amount.
However, the National Confectioners Association, the leading trade organization for the confectionery industry, has disputed the findings of the Consumer Reports study.
“Chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) guidelines cited in the Consumer Reports study are not food safety standards. An expert investigation conducted through our prior California Proposition 65 settlement concluded that cadmium and lead are present in cocoa and chocolate due to soil and that bean cleaning during processing cocoa beans reduces lead and cadmium in chocolate products,” the NCA said in a statement sent to the Washington Examiner.
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“The products cited in this study are in compliance with strict quality and safety requirements, and the levels provided to us by Consumer Reports testing are well under the limits established by our settlement. Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible,” it added.
Until the suggestions are implemented, experts with Consumer Reports assure chocolate lovers that they need not totally cut off their chocolate intake. Treating chocolate as a treat, diversifying your chocolate intake with milk chocolate, and choosing brands with safer levels of the metals can all help to minimize the health impacts of consuming dark chocolate.
