An American investigation has brought to light the presence of cadmium and lead in the dark chocolate bars of several major brands.
Heavy metals can have serious consequences for our health. Whether they are breathed in or ingested, they settle in several parts of the body, including the kidneys and the brain. In the long term, these can cause kidney problems, breathing difficulties and even impact the brain. In fact, for several years, exposure to heavy metals has been closely monitored by scientists.
Studies have also shown that this invisible exposure can even influence the sex of unborn children. But what happens if we eat these heavy metals without realizing it? The question is debated in the United States according to a recent survey by Consumer Reports magazine.
Indeed, the US equivalent of 60 million consumers revealed that dark chocolate contained traces of heavy metals. Worse still, these have been found in the dark chocolate wafers of popular brands across the Atlantic.
28 dark chocolate bars analyzed in detail
Experts have analyzed the composition of 28 different bars offered on the American market. While many brands are unknown in France, some have been imported for a few years, such as Hershey’s, Dove or Alter Eco. However, it appears that heavy metals were found in 23 of the 28 dark chocolate bars tested.
Consumer Reports scientists recently measured the amount of heavy metals in 28 dark chocolate bars. They detected cadmium and lead in all of them… For 23 of the bars, eating just 1 oz a day would put an adult over a potentially harmful level of lead. https://t.co/oFep6KNH3r
— Claudia Persico (@ClaudiaLPersico) December 17, 2022
Specifically, the metals found are lead and cadmium. If the effects of lead on health are already known, cadmium is less known to the general public. But it remains just as dangerous as lead if ingested in large quantities. Among other things, it causes stomach irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and may affect the lungs.
However, these heavy metals are subject to product restrictions. But 5 of the bars tested exceeded the maximum authorized doses.
What are the health risks if the affected products are consumed?
Eating these bars can represent a real risk, even in small quantities. The survey states that just taking one ounce a day (i.e. less than 30 grams of dark chocolate) dangerously increases the risk of exposure. In fact, eating chocolate, even in small quantities over the long term, represents a health risk.
However, these statements need to be qualified. Indeed, the standards in force in the United States are different from those in place in France. And they are even stricter when it comes to food. Vigilance is therefore required if American chocolates are consumed.
In addition, the study states that of the 28 bars tested, 5 contained very low levels of heavy metals. If it is impossible not to be exposed because the two metals can be present in the cocoa beans, alternatives are possible to limit the exposure and therefore the risks.