Do dark chocolate bars exceed CA lead and cadmium limits?
Question asked:
“Consumer Reports found that 23 of 28 popular dark chocolate bars contain lead or cadmium levels that exceed California's safe exposure limits for a one‑ounce serving.”
Summary
Consumer Reports’ investigation identified that 23 of the 28 tested popular dark chocolate bars had lead or cadmium concentrations exceeding California’s Proposition 65 safe exposure limits for a one‑ounce serving. This finding was reported by major news outlets in late 2022 and early 2023.
Sources 59 searched
- Analytical measurement and human health risk assessment of selected metals from commercial chocolate bars - ScienceDirect
For instance, a non-peer-reviewed ... that 23 of the 28 dark chocolate bars tested had measurable levels of Cd and Pb in a single serving that exceeded the daily California Proposition 65 Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL), the safe harbor ...
- Heavy metals found in popular brands of dark chocolate - Harvard Health
Because dark chocolate is a rich source of beneficial plant compounds called flavanols, it's often touted as a heart-healthy treat. However, many popular brands of dark chocolate contain potentially worrisome levels of lead and cadmium, according ...
- A dark side to dark chocolate? New study finds very minimal risk for kids from metals in chocolates
Dark chocolate can sometimes contain ... been alarmed by a 2023 Consumer Reports finding that some dark chocolate brands could contain harmful levels of lead and cadmium....
- Dark chocolate might have health perks, but should you worry about lead in your bar?
For 23 of those bars, just an ounce of chocolate violates California's maximum allowable dose levels (MADL) for lead or cadmium, which are 0.5 micrograms and 4.1 micrograms per day, respectively, the publication said.
- Should I Avoid Dark Chocolate? What to Know About Heavy Metal Risks - The New York Times
The bad news came in mid-December: Consumer Reports published an investigation showing that 23 of the 28 dark chocolate bars it had tested from various brands contained concerning levels of lead, cadmium or both.
- Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate - Consumer Reports
They detected cadmium and lead in all of them. CR tested a mix of brands, including smaller ones, such as Alter Eco and Mast, and more familiar ones, like Dove and Ghirardelli. For 23 of the bars, eating just an ounce a day would put an adult ...
- A Third of Chocolate Products Are High in Heavy Metals, CR's Tests Find - Consumer Reports
As expected, dark chocolates tended to have higher levels of heavy metals and milk chocolate lower. “But every product we tested had detectable amounts of lead and cadmium,” says James E. Rogers, PhD, director and acting head of product ...
- Lead and Cadmium Are Common in Chocolate, Especially Organic - Consumer Reports
Overall, 43 percent of the products tested exceeded the California level for lead, and 35 percent exceeded that level for cadmium. In other words, the average person eating one serving of a random piece of chocolate from these tests is not likely ...
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