Popular dark chocolate bars may contain high levels of cadmium and lead, heavy metals linked to health problems, according to a new report.
WASHINGTON — Is dark chocolate a ‘healthier’ alternative? A Consumer Reports study says otherwise.
Aside from richer, bittersweet flavors, people tend to reach for dark chocolate because of its suggested links to heart health. have been suggested to contain high levels of cadmium and lead, heavy metals linked to health problems.
In a report released Thursday, the nonprofit advocacy group found levels of cadmium and lead in dark chocolate from popular brands such as Hershey’s, Trader Joe’s and Godiva.
The industry trade body, the National Confectionery Association, denied the findings, saying that “chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as a snack just as they have been eaten for centuries.” .
According to the report, all 28 brands tested by Consumer Reports scientists contained heavy metals. Scientists used California standards for maximum permissible dose levels of lead and cadmium as a determinant of risk.
“Because there are no federal limits on the amount of lead and cadmium in most foods, and CR scientists believe California levels are the most protective levels available, these levels are used,” the expert said in the report.
According to the report, 23 of the 28 bars tested exceeded public health levels for at least one heavy metal by adults consuming as little as 1 ounce per day. Five of these 28 bars had the highest levels of cadmium and lead.
Long-term exposure to heavy metals can lead to a range of health problems, experts say. However, it can cause developmental problems and affect brain development, so the biggest groups affected are pregnant women and children.
The National Confectionery Association released a statement on Friday in response to a Consumer Reports investigation, saying the California dosage levels used in the investigation are not “food safe standards.”
Citing an investigation by the California Proposition 65 settlement, the association explained that cadmium and lead levels were found in cocoa and chocolate because of the soil.
The confectionery association added that washing beans during processing is one possible solution to reducing cadmium and lead in chocolate products. published the results of a three-year study on
“The products cited in this study comply with stringent quality and safety requirements, and the levels provided by Consumer Reports testing are well below the limits established by the settlement,” it said. “Food safety and product quality remain our top priorities and we are committed to transparency and social responsibility,” the association said in a statement.
Consumer Reports found that 5 out of 28 chocolate bars, including those from Ghirardelli, had the lowest heavy metals.
Tunde Akinleye, a food safety researcher who led the project, said: “This shows that companies can produce products with lower amounts of heavy metals and consumers can enjoy safer products. increase.
List of consumer reports for dark chocolate “safer alternatives”:
Note: California’s maximum permissible dose level for lead is 0.5 micrograms and for cadmium is 4.1mcg.
- Must Organic Dark Chocolate 80% Cocoa. The study found 14% less lead and 40% less cadmium per ounce, below study baseline levels.
- Taza Chocolate Organic Delicacy Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa retained 33% less lead and 74% less cadmium.
- Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate 86% Cocoa is 36% lead free and 39% cadmium free.
- Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Twilight Delight contained 61% less lead and 96% more cadmium.
- Valrhona Abinao Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa is 63% less lead and 73% less cadmium.
