Dark chocolate lovers, look out! While the sweet treat is often thought to be healthier than other types of candy, some kinds of dark chocolate can potentially contain “dangerous amounts of heavy metals,” according to research released on December 15th by Consumer Reports.
Scientists at the nonprofit advocacy organization, CBS News reports, recently measured the amount of heavy metals in 28 popular brands of dark chocolate bars (including products from Trader Joe’s and Hershey’s) and found cadmium and lead in all of them. Here’s what we know:
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Long viewed as healthier than other sweet treats, some kinds of dark chocolate contain potentially dangerous amounts of heavy metals, according to research released on Thursday by Consumer Reports. https://t.co/MH3wZ1IdA5
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 16, 2022
Cadmium & Lead Found In Trader Joe’s, Hershey’s And More Chocolate Products In New Research
For 23 of the bars, Consumer Reports noted that consuming one ounce a day would put an adult “over a level” for at least one of the metals that could be dangerous. Five of the bars were “above those levels” for both cadmium and lead. Experts say, as CBS News added, that “long-term exposure to even small amounts of heavy metals” can lead to a “slew of health issues,” such as developmental problems and brain development in young children.
Tunde Akinleye, the CR food safety researcher who led the testing, said in a statement, “But there are risks for people of any age.” He went on to say that frequent exposure to lead in adults can cause “nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage and reproductive issues.” Akinleye continued, “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.”
Heavy metals found in dark chocolate including Hershey’s and Trader Joe’s – CBS Philadelphia https://t.co/qgyqP9XvrV
— Pamela Falk CBS News Correspondent United Nations (@PamelaFalk) December 18, 2022
CR used California’s maximum allowable dose level of 0.5 micrograms for lead and 4.1 micrograms for cadmium (as there are no federal limits) when determining the risks for the chocolate that it tested. Researchers found that one ounce of Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate contained lead “265% above what California allows,” and Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao “holding 192% more.”
A spokesperson for Hershey’s deferred to the National Confectioners Association for comment. In an emailed statement, the trade group objected to CR’s use of levels set by California, stressing that the state “does not set” federal food safety standards. A spokesperson for the group wrote in an email to CBS MoneyWatch, “The products cited in this study are in compliance with strict quality and safety requirements.” They went on,”Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible.”
