Consumer Reportsthe equivalent to the Consumer Magazine of Profeco in the United States, discovered that almost two dozen brands of bitter chocolate contained dangerous amounts of lead and cadmium. These heavy metals have been linked to various health problems such as neurological disorders and kidney damage.
The researchers tested 28 brands of dark chocolate for lead and cadmium levels, from popular brands like Hershey’s to lesser-known brands. Twenty-three of the bars were found to be above the California Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) for lead (0.5 mcg) and cadmium (4.1 mcg).
“The danger is greatest for pregnant people and young children because metals can cause developmental problems, affect brain development and lead to lower IQ,” said Tunde Akinleye, a Consumer Reports food safety researcher.
What were the most toxic chocolates?
According to Consumer Reports, the most toxic candy bars are those from Trader Joe’s, which had high levels of lead and cadmium. For their part, Hershey’s also had a high lead content, but a low cadmium content.
Brands like Tony’s, Dove, Lindt, Alter Eco, and Theo also showed high levels of lead, cadmium, or both.
The Safest Dark Chocolate Bars
The researchers found that for dark chocolate bars, the safest options were Mast, Ghirardelli (86% cocoa), Ghirardelli (72% cocoa), and Valrhona.
“This shows that it is possible for companies to make products with lower amounts of heavy metals and for consumers to find safer products that they enjoy,” Akinleye says in the report.
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