Consumer Reports urges dark chocolate makers to reduce lead, cadmium levels

Last month, Consumer Reports said 23 of the 28 dark chocolate bars it tested included potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium or both for people who eat more than one ounce of chocolate a day.

Five had elevated levels of both metals: two from Theo, and one each from Hershey-owned Lily’s, Mondelez-owned Green & Black’s, and Trader Joe’s.

Consumer Reports said many consumers eat dark chocolate for its potential health benefits and relatively low sugar levels, but “there’s nothing healthy about ingesting heavy metals.”

The chocolate makers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The National Confectioners Association, a trade group, said the California health guidelines that Consumer Reports used and considered “the most protective available,” are “not food safety standards” and that chocolate remains safe to eat.

Consumers have been sued at least nine times by Trader Joe’s over its dark chocolate since Consumer Reports released its study.

Hershey’s and Mondelez have also been sued over the magazine’s findings, as have other chocolate makers, including Godiva and Lindt (LISN.S).