Consumer Reports urges dark chocolate makers to reduce lead, cadmium levels
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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).
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific chocolate bars were found to have elevated levels of both lead and cadmium?
Which specific chocolate bars were found to have elevated levels of both lead and cadmium?
Five specific bars had elevated levels of both metals. These included two from Theo, one from Hershey-owned Lily’s, one from Mondelez-owned Green & Black’s, and one from Trader Joe’s.
Q.What is the industry's response to Consumer Reports' findings on heavy metals in dark chocolate?
What is the industry's response to Consumer Reports' findings on heavy metals in dark chocolate?
The National Confectioners Association stated that the California health guidelines used are not food safety standards. They maintain that chocolate remains safe for consumption, despite the Consumer Reports study.
Q.How many ounces of dark chocolate per day did Consumer Reports consider to be potentially harmful based on their findings?
How many ounces of dark chocolate per day did Consumer Reports consider to be potentially harmful based on their findings?
Consumer Reports indicated that potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium, or both were found for people who consume more than one ounce of chocolate daily. This threshold was used in their testing.
Q.Which chocolate makers have faced legal action following the publication of Consumer Reports' findings?
Which chocolate makers have faced legal action following the publication of Consumer Reports' findings?
Trader Joe’s has been sued at least nine times. Hershey’s, Mondelez, Godiva, and Lindt have also faced legal action due to the magazine's findings regarding heavy metals.
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