Heavy metals found in popular dark chocolate brands

Popular brands of dark chocolate may contain potentially dangerous levels of heavy metals, according to a new study from Consumer Reports.

Scientists from the nonprofit organisation tested 28 well known dark chocolate varieties for their amount of heavy metals, and detected lead and cadmium in all of them.

In 23 of the chocolate bars, eating just one ounce (28 grams) per day would exceed the levels that public health researchers recommend for at least one of the metals.

Five of the bars contained excess levels of both lead and cadmium.

The brands tested included some of the most popular chocolate makers, including Lindt, Trader Joe’s and Hershey’s.

Consumer Reports food safety researcher Tunde Akinleye said in a statement the potential health impact of consuming those metals was riskiest for pregnant women and young children, as it could impact brain development.

In otherwise healthy adults, consistent exposure to heavy metals can lead to nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.

“There are risks for people of any age,” Mr Akinleye said.

Mr Akinleye said the fact that five of the chocolate brands contained safe levels of cadmium and lead was a promising sign.

“That shows it’s possible for companies to make products with lower amounts of heavy metals — and for consumers to find safer products that they enjoy,” he said.

In determining the risk, Consumer Reports used California’s maximum allowable dose levels of 0.5 micrograms of lead and and 4.1 mcg of cadmium.

It found five varieties contained excess lead and cadmium: Theo’s organic pure dark and organic extra dark, Green and Black’s organic dark, Trader Joe’s the dark chocolate and Lily’s extremely dark.

Hershey’s special dark mildly sweet chocolate contained 265 per cent of the recommended lead intake in California.

Lindt’s excellence dark chocolate contained 166 per cent above what California allows.

A spokesperson for the Lindt & Sprüngli Group told The Independent that food safety was paramount for the confectionary firm.

National Confectioners Association spokesman Christopher Gindlesperger told The Independent in a statement that the chocolate products cited in the study were in compliance with quality and safety requirements.

Mr Gindlesperger said an investigation conducted in 2018 concluded that cadmium and lead were present in cocoa and chocolate due to the soil that cocoa beans were grown in.

Cleaning during processing reduced their presence in chocolate products. 

“Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible,” he said.

The Independent did not immediately hear back from Trader Joe’s and Hershey’s.