Dark chocolate has been billed as a super food, which implies that it is packed with nutrients which are good for the body. Not only that, it is also a delicious dessert loved by many people worldwide.
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In a disturbing find, Consumer Reportshave found high levels of heavy metals in chocolate by Hershey's, Theo, Trader Joe's and other popular brands. Here’s what the report has to say.
Metals in chocolate
The presence of heavy metals in chocolate is actually not a secret. The chocolate industry has been aware of it, and looking for ways to reduce it for years now, but some brands have definitely done a better job of reducing it than others.
The heavy metals found in chocolate are cadmium and lead, which have been linked to serious heath issues. For example, frequent exposure to lead can cause health problems like nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.
Levels of lead and cadmium in dark chocolate
Consumer Reports tested many popular dark chocolate brands to come up with a list of brands with high metal and low metal content. They studied a mix of brands, including smaller ones, such as Alter Eco and Mast, and more popular ones, like Dove and Ghirardelli.
As per the report, the fact that 5 of the branded chocolate bars have low cadmium and lead levels demonstrate that it is indeed possible to reduce the level of heavy metals in dark chocolate, and other companies in the industries should follow suit.
Here is the list of dark chocolate brands and the levels of cadmium and lead.
High in Both Lead & Cadmium
- Beyond Good Organic Pure Dark Chocolate, 70% Cocoa LEAD 42% CADMIUM 112%
- Beyond Good Organic Pure Dark Chocolate, 80% Cocoa LEAD 42% CADMIUM 138%
- Equal Exchange Organic Extra Dark Chocolate, 80% Cacao LEAD 45% CADMIUM 120%
- Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate, 70% Cocoa LEAD 48% CADMIUM 116%
- Scharffen Berger Extra Dark Chocolate, 82% Cacao LEAD 49% CADMIUM 136%
- Alter Eco Organic Dark Chocolate Classic Blackout, 85% Cacao LEAD 49% CADMIUM 204%
- Pascha Organic Very Dark Dark Chocolate, 85% Cacao LEAD 68% CADMIUM 253%
- Dove Promises Deeper Dark Chocolate, 70% Cacao LEAD 74% CADMIUM 112%
Safer Choices
- Mast Organic Dark Chocolate, 80% Cocoa LEAD 14% CADMIUM 40%
- Taza Chocolate Organic Deliciously Dark Chocolate, 70% Cacao LEAD 33% CADMIUM 74%
- Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate, 86% Cacao LEAD 36% CADMIUM 39%
- Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Twilight Delight, 72% Cacao LEAD 61% CADMIUM 96%
- Valrhona Abinao Dark Chocolate, 85% Cacao LEAD 63% CADMIUM 73%
Sources used:
Consumer Reports: ' Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate'
