Consumer Reports found dangerous heavy metals in chocolate from Hershey’s, Theo, Trader Joe’s and other popular brands. Here are the ones that had the most, and some that are safer.
Photo Illustration: Melissa Paterno Plonchak/Consumer Reports, Getty Images
For many of us, chocolate is more than just a tasty treat. It’s a mood lifter, an energy booster, a reward after a tough day, a favorite holiday gift.
People also choose dark chocolate in particular for its potential health benefits, thanks to studies that suggest its rich supply of antioxidants may improve heart health and other conditions, and for its relatively low levels of sugar. In fact, more than half of people in a recent survey from the National Confectioners Association described dark chocolate as a “better for you” candy.
But there’s a dark side to this “healthier” chocolate. Research has found that some dark chocolate bars contain cadmium and lead—two heavy metals linked to a host of health problems in children and adults.
The chocolate industry has been grappling with ways to lower those levels. To see how much of a risk these favorite treats pose, Consumer Reports scientists recently measured the amount of heavy metals in 28 dark chocolate bars. They detected cadmium and lead in all of them.
Heavy Metals in Dark Chocolate
CR tested a mix of brands, including smaller ones, such as Alter Eco and Mast, and more familiar ones, like Dove and Ghirardelli.
For 23 of the bars, eating just an ounce a day would put an adult over a level that public health authorities and CR’s experts say may be harmful for at least one of those heavy metals. Five of the bars were above those levels for both cadmium and lead.
That’s risky stuff: Consistent, long-term exposure to even small amounts of heavy metals can lead to a variety of health problems. The danger is greatest for pregnant women and young children because the metals can cause developmental problems, affect brain development, and lead to lower IQ, says Tunde Akinleye, the CR food safety researcher who led this testing project.
CR’s Chocolate Test Results
Safer Choices
Mast
Organic Dark Chocolate
80% Cocoa
LEAD
14%
CADMIUM
40%
Taza Chocolate
Organic Deliciously Dark Chocolate
70% Cacao
LEAD
33%
CADMIUM
74%
Ghirardelli
Intense Dark Chocolate
86% Cacao
LEAD
36%
CADMIUM
39%
Ghirardelli
Intense Dark Chocolate Twilight Delight
72% Cacao
LEAD
61%
CADMIUM
96%
Valrhona
Abinao Dark Chocolate
85% Cacao
LEAD
63%
CADMIUM
73%
High in Both Lead & Cadmium
Theo
Organic Pure Dark
70% Cocoa
LEAD
120%
CADMIUM
142%
Trader Joe’s
The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate
85% Cacao
LEAD
127%
CADMIUM
229%
Theo
Organic Extra Dark Pure Dark Chocolate
85% Cocoa
LEAD
140%
CADMIUM
189%
Lily’s
Extremely Dark Chocolate
85% Cocoa
LEAD
143%
CADMIUM
101%
Green & Black’s
Organic Dark Chocolate
70% Cacao
LEAD
143%
CADMIUM
181%
Better Ways to Eat Dark Chocolate
Choose dark chocolates with the lowest levels of heavy metals
Treat chocolate as a treat
Try dark chocolates with lower cacao percentages
Alternate with milk chocolate
Don’t assume organic dark chocolates are safer
Don’t give kids much dark chocolate
Read the complete article at the link below.
Source: Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate – Consumer Reports
