Whether it is the season of sweets and sugar skulls, on February 14, December, anniversaries, birthdays or just a craving, chocolate brands They are usually very popularsince in addition, there are different types and styles of preparation.
Dark chocolate, white, sugar-free, bar, melted, ice cream and endless presentations are offered on the market. However, not everyone is what they seem. Even some, They have excess lead and cadmiumharmful to health.
Ingredients of chocolate brands
An analysis carried out by Consumer Reports (CR)evaluated 28 dark chocolate bars to determine the presence of these ingredients.
The reference levels used in this ‘exam‘ are California’s maximum allowable dose (MADL), which establishes a threshold of 0.5 micrograms for lead and 4.1 micrograms for cadmium.
The results show that several of these chocolates have levels of lead and cadmium that exceed 100% of the aforementioned reference levels.
Although this evaluation does not determine the legality of a chocolate based on its lead or cadmium content, it does provide valuable information for consumers, as well as underscoring the importance of monitoring heavy metal levels in foods.
Chocolates with cadmium
According to CR, The chocolates with the highest cadmium content on the market are:
- Beyond Good Organic Pure Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): 112% cadmium
- Beyond Good Organic Pure Dark Chocolate (80% cocoa): 138% cadmium
- Equal Exchange Organic Extra Dark Chocolate (80% cocoa): 120% cadmium
- Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): 116% cadmium
- Scharffen Berger Extra Dark Chocolate (82% cocoa): 136% cadmium
- Alter Eco Organic Dark Chocolate Classic Blackout (85% cocoa): 204% cadmium
- Pascha Organic Very Dark Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa): cadmium 253%
- Dove Promises Deeper Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): 112% cadmium
Leaded chocolates
According to CR, The chocolates with the highest lead content on the market are:
- Tony’s Chocolonely Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): 134% lead
- Lily’s Extra Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): 144% lead
- Godiva Signature Dark Chocolate (72% cocoa): 146% lead
- Chocolove Strong Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): 152% lead
- Lindt Excellence Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa): 166% lead
- Endangered Species Bold + Silky Dark Chocolate (72% cocoa): 181% lead
- Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate (72% cocoa): 192% lead
- Hu Organic Simple Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa): 210% lead
- Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate: 265% lead
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), notes that chocolate is not a significant source of exposure to lead or cadmium. However, manufacturers must take steps to ensure the safety of their products.
Given this situation, Steve Voskuil, chief financial officer of Hershey’s, has stated that the company is working to reduce the levels of these metals in its chocolates. How about?
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