Chocolate And Heavy Metals (Lead, Nickel, Cadmium, Etc.)

[Mito]

Highlights

• Nickel was metal with the highest levels in cocoa raw materials and chocolate.
• Good selection of the raw materials for chocolate production is highly important.
• Cocoa bean winnowing and conching are process steps causing metals content decrease
• Consumption of tested chocolate was significant source of Cd and Ni for children.
• Lead level in chocolate was low and did not pose a threat to human health.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889157517302909

Conclusion
“The chocolate production described in this study, which took place in three different factories in central Poland shows the mechanism behind the contents of three heavy metals in cocoa masses. It was noted that the two steps in the process which decrease their concentration the most, are conching, when the addition of non-cocoa ingredients induces a dilution effect, and winnowing, when the shell of the cocoa bean, saturated with these metals is removed. The analysis of the experimental data indicates that the best way to control the contamination of chocolate from lead, nickel and cadmium is to carefully select the raw materials and have an in-depth understanding of the manufacturing process within the context of the presence of these metals. Based on the results, it seems that factory Z has the best chocolate production methodology. During all the steps in the manufacturing process, the heavy element content in the mass remained the same or fell, but it was never raised. The results of the present study contribute new and reliable data to the food safety authorities and broaden knowledge of the contribution made by particular raw materials and production processes on the overall level of lead, nickel and cadmium in dark chocolate.

Studies monitoring hazardous elements in the chocolate-like products offered on retail markets should be continued. This study shows that contamination with heavy metals may be the result of the manufacturing process, as was the case on the production line of factory X, which uses old machines. Judging from this work it can be concluded that the contamination of cocoa beans also takes place before the manufacturing process, such as during their cultivation, pre-treatment and transportation. Furthermore, some of the cultivation areas are naturally rich in some of these toxic metals.

More than 10 years ago it was pointed out that the concentration of lead in chocolates is the highest among those found in food products. However, the vast majority of recent research, as well as that undertaken in this study, indicates that the level of lead in products containing cocoa has decreased significantly to a relatively safe level. The data obtained in this study confirm this situation. However, this does not mean that a definitive solution has been found to the problem of lead in cocoa products. According to the results in this paper, nickel was the most prominent toxic metal, with the highest levels in raw cocoa materials and chocolate of various origins. The concentration of this element in the chocolate samples of factories X, Y and Z creates a serious risk to the health of children who consume this type of sweet regularly. ZE chocolate poses a similar threat in terms of its cadmium content. Bearing in mind the risk assessment conducted in our study, we would like to give our support to the suggestion put forward by other researchers (Rehman & Husnain, 2012; Wojciechowska- Mazurek et al., 2008) regarding the establishment of an absolute limit for the level of cadmium, lead and nickel concentrations in cocoa powder, chocolate and products containing chocolate. Such limits have already been established in the European Union for cadmium.”

 

[StephanF]

Highlights

• Nickel was metal with the highest levels in cocoa raw materials and chocolate.
• Good selection of the raw materials for chocolate production is highly important.
• Cocoa bean winnowing and conching are process steps causing metals content decrease
• Consumption of tested chocolate was significant source of Cd and Ni for children.
• Lead level in chocolate was low and did not pose a threat to human health.

Interesting, thanks!!

 

[Mito]

Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate - Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports tested 28 dark chocolate bars and found cadmium and lead in all of them. Here's how to limit your heavy metal exposure.

www.consumerreports.org

 

[David PS]

Hershey sued over chocolate containing heavy metals

Hershey Co has been sued by a consumer who accused the company of selling dark chocolate that contains harmful levels of lead and cadmium. In a proposed class action filed on Wednesday, Christopher Lazazzaro said he would not have bought or would have paid less for Hershey's Special Dark Mildly...

news.yahoo.com

 

[Warrior]

The timing of this is very suspicious, don't you think? Considering that the farmers had just started unionizing:





Now, all of sudden, the corporates can claim a legitimate reason to dive in and take over to ensure the price fixing is maintained and the raw material keeps flowing in ways profitable.


Makes you think about the other side of the narrative, yes?

 

[Mauritio]

This is a big issue.
Im surprised that this isn't talked about more, since you get toxic amounts of heavy metals even from 1 or 2 ounces of chocolate per day.

It seems really hard to find a chocolate that is low in heavy metals .

Here you can check the heavy metals content and sort for brand and type of chocolate .

Toxic Chocolate — As You Sow

If you have a sweet tooth, you may have read studies talking about the health benefits associated with eating moderate amounts of chocolate. But our research has found a potential health risk in popular chocolate products that’s been flying under the radar – many chocolates contain toxic metals like

www.asyousow.org

Some of the chocolate I eat ,like Ritter Sport and lindt is really high in cadmium.
I noticed that the African chocolate seems to have lower levels of heavy metals, so I'll probably go for those in the future.

 

[Mauritio]

"Cadmium is often more prevalent in the soil in South and Latin America, mainly due to the volcanic nature of the soil. "
- Addressing Concerns Over Heavy Metals Found in Cocoa and Chocolate-Based Products - Camino

- Heavy Metals in Chocolate: How to Eat This Superfood Safely - Gimme the Good Stuff

 

[Mauritio]

If anyone comes across a chocolate from Indonesia , let me know ,because they seem pretty safe .

" Concentrations of some heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Cd, As and Hg) were
assessed for cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L) originating from East Luwu, South
Sulawesi, Indonesia after five-day fermentation. Consisting of PB 123, BR 25, and
MCC 02 cocoa clones, the spectrophotometric analysis showed that concentrations of
Pb, Cd, As and Hg in the cocoa beans over the three clones was below the detection
limits of 0.100; 0.050, 0.010 and 0.005 mg/kg. For Cu, they were 19.343; 10.391, and
18.594 mg/kg respectively, but still below the maximum critical levels, established by
the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Concentrations of those five heavy
metals in the bean shells were found to be parallel to those in the cocoa beans, except
for Pb."