Dark chocolate may contain heavy metals including lead and cadmium, report finds

Cadmium and lead were both detected in dark chocolate, according to a recent study (Picture: Getty Images)

Several popular brands of dark chocolate contain dangerous amounts of heavy metals, a study found.

Dark chocolates are often advertised as a potentially healthier option for sweet lovers. They frequently contain beneficial dietary minerals like manganese and iron, and usually have less sugar.

However, a study conducted by Consumer Reports found that many dark chocolates also contain something much more dangerous: traces of the heavy metals lead and cadmium.

The study tested 28 dark chocolates and used California’s maximum allowable dose level as a benchmark. The state prevents food products from having more than 0.5 micrograms of lead and 4.1 micrograms of cadmium.

Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate contains a particularly high level of lead. The popular American chocolate brand contained 265% of the acceptable dose level of the heavy metal – the highest dose any tested chocolate contained.

Several brands, including Pascha, Dove, and Lindt contain well over the maximum dosage of cadmium.

Another popular brand, Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate, had high levels of both lead and cadmium, at 127% and 229% of their respective acceptable dosages.

Some chocolate manufacturers fared much better than others. Two different chocolates made by Ghirardelli both had low levels of heavy metals, as did products made by Taza, Mast, and Valrhona.

Cadmium can build up in the kidneys, eventually causing kidney disease and fragile bones. It has also been identified as a cancer-causing agent, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Lead exposure poses a particular risk to children and pregnant women. It can cause severe developmental problems and damage to the brain and nervous system.

A previous study conducted in August by nonprofit environmental accountability advocate As You Sow found that heavy metals work their way into cocoa primarily through contaminated soil.

High levels of cadmium in soil are consumed by a cocoa tree’s roots. The metal is then deposited into the fruit.

Lead, on the other hand, was discovered on the outer shells of cocoa beans, leading researchers to conclude the beans were exposed to the metal after harvesting.

Lead finds its way into soil through ‘leaded gasoline, exterior lead-based paint, and industrial sources,’ the CDC says.

‘Lead moves through air and gets mixed with dust particles ending up on the ground adhering to the sticky beans,’ the As You Sow report states. The particles find there way to the bean crops when they are harvested, dried, and fermented.

To address the problem, As You Sow recommends chocolate producers begin scrutinizing where they farm and export their products from. They also recommend manufacturers introduce cleaning and winnowing practices during the drying and fermenting processes to reduce lead exposure.

In the meantime, chocolate lovers should try to reduce the amount of dark chocolate they consume, especially children.

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