Bad Chocolate! Report of Cadmium in the Sweet Comes at the Worst Possible Time

In a story found at eatingwell. com, just in time for Valentine’s Day, “Consumer Reports tested 28 different dark chocolate bars for lead and cadmium, and used California’s maximum allowable dose level to determine which chocolate bars were “safer choices,” “high in cadmium,” “high in lead” and “high in both cadmium and lead.”

Of the 28 labels tested, 23 were found to contain sufficient levels of the toxic chemicals; and consuming 1 ounce daily could have a detrimental effect on health.

The magazine also concluded, “Five of the bars tested had potentially dangerous levels of both heavy metals.”

Brands mentioned include Theo, Trader Joe’s, and Lily’s; these were the most questionable. Those considered safer but still had contamination were Ghirardelli dark chocolate and Taza Chocolate.

How lead enters into the process is sketchy, although it is believed that after harvesting cocoa beans, transportation of the crop could be the culprit.

As for cadmium contamination, it likely takes place in the growing of plants in contaminated soil.

The report did not exclude chocolate from anyone’s diet but did recommend consumers look for the “safer choices” and limit intake with children.

Surprisingly, with all the talk about the darkest chocolate’s health benefits, the study recommends less concentrated bars.

It looks like diamonds, roses, and fine wines are the best choices for showing your love until they’re tested, and more bad news gets reported. H