A Variety of Dark Chocolate Products Contaminated With Heavy Metals, Study Finds

Chocoholics, brace yourselves: That velvety square of chocolate melting on your tongue might be a source of harmful heavy metals. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition that examined 72 types of chocolate products – dark chocolate bars, nibs and cocoa powders – found that 43% contained elevated lead levels and 35% had higher cadmium levels than allowed by strict California regulations but less than the limits set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Over eight years, researchers from George Washington University analyzed 72 popular cocoa products sold in the United States, including dark chocolate bars found on grocery store shelves. Perhaps surprisingly, products labeled as “organic” tended to have significantly higher levels of both lead and cadmium compared to conventional chocolate. The good news? Arsenic levels were universally low across all samples tested. While the research findings paint a concerning picture of contamination, for most people enjoying an occasional serving of these chocolate products is unlikely to pose major health risks. However, frequent indulgence or consumption of multiple servings daily could potentially lead to concerning levels of exposure, especially when combined with other dietary sources of these metals.