A recent, 8-year-long analysis of U.S. dark chocolate and cocoa products revealed a significant portion of samples to contain cadmium and lead levels exceeding California Proposition 65 maximum allowable limits, although concentrations of toxic heavy metals were seen to reduce over time.
Building upon a December 2022 report on the levels of toxic heavy metals in dark chocolate, Consumer Reports recently published new findings about the contaminants in other kinds of chocolates, suggesting that one-third of chocolate products contain high levels of heavy metals.
The National Confectioners Association and As You Sow have compiled recommendations based on findings from a three-year study that explored ways to reduce the presence of cadmium and lead in cocoa and chocolate.
International standards for food contaminants must be based on sound science and food safety risks so as to not adversely impact access to global markets.
