One-Third of Chocolate Products Exceed Heavy Metal Limits in United States

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One-Third of Chocolate Products Exceed Heavy Metal Limits in United States

“Consumer Reports” : One-Third of Chocolate Products Exceed Heavy Metal Limits in United States

On Oct 25, “Consumer Reports” stated hat one-third of various chocolate products tested recently had “concerning” levels of lead and cadmium and called on Hershey to reduce the heavy metal content in its chocolate.

“Consumer Reports” is a magazine hosted by the Consumer Union of the United States that influences American consumer culture. As an independent nonprofit organization, the Consumer Union of the United States aims to provide consumers with impartial information covering products, services, personal finance, health, and nutrition.

One-Third of Chocolate Products Exceed Heavy Metal Limits in United States

It is reported that “Consumer Reports” tested seven products: dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate bars, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, almond chocolate cookies, chocolate cakes, and hot chocolate.

Products found to exceed the heavy metal limits include Walmart’s dark chocolate bars and mixed hot chocolate, Hershey and Droste’s cocoa powder, Target’s semi-sweet chocolate chips, and Trader Joe’s, Nestlé, and Starbucks’ mixed hot chocolate.

Only the milk chocolate bars, which contain less cocoa solids, did not exceed the heavy metal limits. “Consumer Reports” warned that prolonged exposure to these heavy metals could lead to neurological problems, immune system suppression, and kidney damage. The risk is even greater for pregnant women and children because heavy metals can cause developmental problems and even lower intelligence.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed the Consumer Union of the United States that experts consider chocolate to be a potential source of lead and cadmium exposure, but manufacturers and processors still have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their food.

In a report released last year, “Consumer Reports” found that 23 out of 28 tested dark chocolate bars contained excessive lead or cadmium. Both lead and cadmium were detected in all these products, including chocolate from popular brands like Hershey, Theo, and Trader Joe’s.

Brian Ronholm, the magazine’s food policy director, said that Hershey, as a “leading and popular brand,” should be committed to making its chocolate safer. However, similar demands were not made of other manufacturers.

In March of this year, Hershey’s Chief Financial Officer Steve Voskuil stated that the company is seeking to reduce the levels of lead and cadmium, referring to these two metals as natural soil elements present in chocolate products, but they are eager to completely eliminate them.

“Consumer Reports” stated that more than 75,000 consumers previously signed a petition demanding that Hershey reduce heavy metal content in its chocolate, and they are now petitioning the company again.

Christopher Gindlesperger, a spokesperson for the National Confectioners Association, said that chocolate and cocoa can still be safely consumed, just as they have been for centuries.