‘Dangerous’ heavy metals found in several popular dark chocolate bars, research finds
Brady Knox
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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.
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Preventing cadmium exposure requires surveying different cacao-growing regions and choosing those with the least amount.
Until the suggestions are implemented, experts 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.