Study Finds Cadmium and Lead Contamination of Dark Chocolate

A new study has found that dark chocolate and other similar cocoa items are contaminated with cadmium and lead. These metals are neurotoxins and they’ve been linked to developmental issues in children, chronic diseases, and cancer. In a sense, because they are in the soil where crops are grown, these heavy metals are present in many different agricultural products, but some crops are more contaminated because there is excessive use of metal-containing fertilizers or proximity to pollution. Chocolate is grown on land that is less contaminated and where fewer pesticides are used. Yet, the journal Frontiers in Nutrition has found that organic dark chocolate—so often recommended by health magazines for certain beneficial properties—contains some of the highest levels of cadmium and lead. If you believe you or your child was harmed by contaminated dark chocolate, contact the seasoned Chicago-based lawyers of Moll Law Group. Our firm represents consumers around the country.

Call Moll Law Group About a Contaminated Dark Chocolate Claim

The new study evaluated test results for 72 consumer cocoa products, tested by Consumer Labs at various laboratories, over an eight-year-period in 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2020 to determine their levels of cadmium, lead and arsenic. The new study analyzed six dozen consumer cocoa products for levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic. Levels of arsenic were insignificant.

The researchers who put out the study, which did not disclose the manufacturers or product names of the products they tested, evaluated pure dark chocolate products only. As opposed to baking chocolate and milk chocolate, dark chocolate products are often recommended because they have the highest amount of cacao, which is an unprocessed part of the cacao bean, and contains flavonoids among other positives. According to the national director of science and health for Healthy Babies Bright Futures, which is a coalition of advocates dedicated to reducing babies’ exposures to neurotoxic chemicals, the average levels of cadmium and lead in the products tested are at or above the most highly contaminated foods that the FDA tests. The other highly cadmium-contaminated or lead-contaminated products on the FDA’s list include spinach, French fries, lettuce, potato chips, sunflower seed, sweet potato baby food, teething biscuits, white wine, ranch dressing, and sandwich cookies.

The health risks from eating chocolate may be below the threshold of what’s safe when only small amounts are consumed. However, it’s important to know of the contamination; risks exist especially for small children, pregnant women, and those who consume dark chocolate or other cacao products regularly. According to the Environment Protection Agency, cadmium is a probable human carcinogen and over a longer period, exposure can cause kidney damage.

Generally, one authority said, eating an ounce every day is low risk. Another professor has noted that while this is a low-risk consumption, it can matter when a person is around other lead sources. That professor had put together a study that found high levels of cadmium but not much lead in 155 samples of dark chocolate.

If you or your child suffered harm as a result of dark chocolate contamination and our seasoned Chicago-based product liability lawyers are able to establish liability, you may be able to recover compensation, including the costs of medical care, rehabilitative care, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, replacement services, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Please give Moll Law Group a call for a consultation. Our firm represents individuals, children, and families around the country. We’ve fought for consumers for 30 years. Please complete our online form or call us at 312.462.1700.