5 On Your Side

What to know about the amount of heavy metals in chocolate

A recent Consumer Reports study found concerning levels of heavy metals in some chocolates.
Posted 2023-04-06T22:37:59+00:00 - Updated 2023-04-07T13:54:59+00:00
Consumer Reports looks into amounts of metals in dark chocolate

A recent Consumer Reports study found concerning levels of heavy metals in some chocolates.

There are some things you need to know before biting into a chocolate egg or bunny on Easter Sunday.

A recent Consumer Reports investigation looked at dark chocolate.

“We tested 28 dark chocolate bars, and found concerning levels of cadmium or lead, two toxic heavy metals, in most of them,” said Kevin Loria with Consumer Reports.

For 23 of the bars, eating just an ounce a day would put an adult over a level that 3 of Consumer Reports’ experts and public health authorities said may be harmful.

“Kidney damage, hypertension, and reproductive issues are just some of the various health problems associated with consistent, long-term exposure to heavy metals. And the risks for kids are even greater,” Loria said.

Lead and cadmium are both natural elements in the earth’s crust, but human activities like mining, manufacturing, transportation and agriculture have increased their levels in the air, soil and water. Because of their presence in the environment, these metals are ubiquitous in the food supply. The good news is we aren’t talking about all chocolate.

“Milk chocolate tends to have lower levels of heavy metals, but you’re typically trading that off with a lot more added sugars,” Loria said.

How the chocolates are produced and handled also makes a difference. As You Sow’s website keeps track of cadmium and lead levels in products from several chocolate brands. Local company Videri Chocolate Factory said it routinely tests its levels and found that their chocolates came back with levels below the prop 65 amount, a California law aimed at keeping toxic substances out of food and water.

“We get our chocolates tested for heavy metals, and the latest test came back showing all levels below the Prop 65 amounts,” Sam Ratto the founder of Videri Chocolate Factory told WRAL 5 On Your Side.

The bottom line is if you don’t eat chocolate daily or have less than an ounce a day, you’re totally fine.

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