Dark chocolate is beloved by many and is well-known for its health benefits. However, cacao trees are threatened by climate change and disease. CBS News reports a new threat in a study done by Consumer Reports: they found “heavy metals in 28 popular brands of dark chocolate bars and found cadmium and lead in all of them.” An ounce a day for 23 of the 28 bars “would put an adult over a level for at least one of the metals that could be harmful.” How is it happening? A combination of heavy metals in the soil and lead dust coating drying beans.
Being exposed to even a small amount of heavy metal over time can cause a long list of health challenges, including hypertension, kidney damage and problems with the reproductive, nervous and immune systems. Fortunately, the 5 bars which did not contain dangerously high levels of heavy metals are proof that producers can make products safe for their consumers.
The safer options are:
Mast Organic Dark Chocolate 80% Cocoa
Taza Chocolate Organic Deliciously Dark Chocolate 70% Cacao
Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate 86% Cacao
Ghirardelli Intense Dark Chocolate Twilight Delight
Valrhona Abinao Dark Chocolate 85% Cacao
Two examples of unsafe choices include:
Hershey’s Special Dark Mildly Sweet Chocolate
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate 72% Cacao.
See the full list from Consumer Reports.
Let us know if you’d like to participate in an online discussion about which are your favorite dark chocolates and what to do about this troubling study. Contact us at: info@afors.org