Study exposes hidden dangers of heavy metals in chocolate

Testing by Consumer Reports found one-third of chocolate products tested were high in heavy metals, and the percentage of contaminated products rose when it was dark chocolate.

Of the 28 dark chocolate bars tested in 2022, only five had levels below 100% of the maximum allowable dose and only two had levels below 50%.

In the 46 products tested in 2023, they found detectable levels in every product and 539% of the maximum allowed dose of lead in Perugina 85% premium dark chocolate.

Chocolate is not the only source of heavy metal and it bioaccumulates, so it’s important to be aware of your overall intake. Cadmium can be absorbed from the soil and is found in the highest levels in grains and vegetables.

Exposure to lead and cadmium poses the highest risk to the brains and neurological systems of infants and children.

Since cadmium crosses the placental barrier, exposure during pregnancy can have serious health consequences, including increased mortality from heart and kidney disease and cancer.

Dark chocolate has many health benefits, but your source should be chosen wisely to avoid exposure to heavy metals. Consider incorporating strategies for heavy metal detox to protect your mitochondrial function.

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These are naturally occurring elements in the environment that are five times denser than water and have multiple applications in industry, agriculture, medicine and technology.

Lead, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and mercury are among the metals identified as having public health significance since they are known to trigger organ damage even at low levels of exposure. These same heavy metals are also “known” or “probable” human carcinogens.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, heavy metals are toxic metals that are known to negatively affect human health. They can bioaccumulate to become a significant health hazard. Cadmium is an extremely toxic metal used in industrial workplaces.

Several deaths have been attributed to acute exposure in welders who unsuspectingly used cadmium-containing alloys.

However, lead is one of the most prevalent overexposures in occupational health as it’s found in construction work, radiator repair shops, firing ranges and most smelter operations to name a few.

In the 2022 and 2023 tests, researchers used California’s maximum allowable dose level for heavy metal tested since as Consumer Reports noted there are no federal limits for lead or cadmium in food and the researchers believed that California’s standards are currently the most protective available.

In 2023, Consumer Reports sought to determine whether other cacao-containing foods had the same risk. They tested 48 different chocolate products across seven categories and added several dark chocolate bars to confirm their previous results.

They used products from name brands like Nestle, Ghirardelli and Hershey’s and bought them from national retailers like Whole Foods, Target, Costco and Trader Joe’s.

However, James E. Rogers, Ph.D., director and acting head of product safety testing also noted that every product had detectable amounts of lead and cadmium and 16 had concerning levels of at least one metal, and in some cases, more than twice the limit.

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The results of the testing revealed high levels of lead and cadmium in several of the dark chocolate bars, including 539% of the maximum allowed dose of lead in Perugina Extra Dark Chocolate Premium 85%.

None of the milk chocolate bars were over 100% of the levels for lead or cadmium and only two of the dark chocolate chips were over 100% of the allowed levels for lead.

As Consumer Reports noted, high levels of cadmium get into the chocolate as the plant absorbs it from the soil. Lead also may be deposited on the beans after harvest as they dry outdoors.

However, chocolate is not the only food or beverage that contains heavy metals and since the metals can bioaccumulate, it’s important to be aware of your overall intake.

Lead exposure is known to slow a child’s growth and development and impair learning, hearing and speech.

Damage to the brain and nervous system can also trigger behavior problems and cause lower IQ with a decreased ability to pay attention and poor performance in school.

Exposure at younger ages is more harmful because children’s bodies and brains are still developing and growing.

Data show that exposure to cadmium can have an adverse effect on the kidneys, heart, liver and nervous system. Exposure in utero and early life can result in serious health issues related to developmental disabilities since cadmium crosses the placental barrier.

Exposure during pregnancy can have serious health consequences, including an increased risk of mortality related to cancer, heart disease, kidney disease and neurological problems.