The latest research into chocolate and cocoa is unlikely to be a game changer for consumers or the industry

Makers of chocolate and cocoa products have been waiting for the latest metal analysis, which was released early Wednesday by the journal Frontiers of Nutrition:. The multi-year heavy metal analysis of 72 U.S. dark chocolate and cocoa products is based on data sets beginning in 2014,

The new research is unlikely to change much. Chocolate and cocoa may contain some heavy metals, but are largely considered safe to eat in moderation.

According to reports from Frontiers of Nutrition, contamination of cocoa-containing products, such as dark chocolate, with heavy metals, including lead, cadmium and arsenic, has been reported in the US. It says that a formal investigation into the significance of this contamination, nor multi-year trends in its degree or magnitude, remain unresolved.

The study, from George Washington University and running from 2014 to 2022, collected 72 cocoa-containing consumer products purchased and analyzed for heavy metal contamination with lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic in 4 different cohorts (2014 ). , 2016, 2019, 2022).

The thresholds used to assess heavy metal contamination are set at California Prop 65 maximum allowable dose levels (MADLs) of 0.5 mcg/day, 4.1 mcg/day, and ten mcg/day for Pb, Cd, respectively and As.

The GWU analysis reports that 43, 35, and 0 percent of the products tested exceed the Prop 65 MADLs for the heavy metal concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As, respectively, while 97.2 percent (70 of 72) fell below the US FDA established IRL limits falls. for Pb.

Furthermore, the study reported that the median concentrations of every metal tested were lower than even the conservative Prop 65 MADLs, indicating a potentially large effect of product outliers.

The research shows that heavy metal contamination – in more than half of the products tested – poses no significant risk to the average person when consumed in a single serving; however, consuming some of the products tested or more than one serving per day in combination with non-cocoa sources of heavy metals could result in exposure that would exceed the Prop 65 MADLs. Notably, ‘organic’ products were significantly more likely to exhibit higher levels of both Cd and Pb.

The National Confectioners Association (NCA), a Washington, D.C.-based trade association that represents the nation’s candy makers, waited to respond to the GWU investigation.

NCA said the investigation “lacks important context” and leaves questions unanswered.

It tells the public that chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as they have been for centuries. NCA says: “Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities, and we remain committed to being transparent and socially responsible.”

It quotes the following statement from the FDA: “Although the presence of cadmium and lead in chocolate has been the subject of significant media attention, experts from around the world have found that chocolate is a minor source of exposure to these contaminants internationally. ”

The GWU study concludes: “. . . If contaminated products are consumed by most in small amounts and infrequently, these contaminants may not pose a public health problem. . .”

NCA says chocolate and cocoa products fit this description according to the FDA. Consumers understand that chocolate and sweets are an occasional treat and not food on the plate. According to the CDC’s National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES), people in the U.S. enjoy chocolate and sweets two to three times a week, consuming an average of just 40 calories per day and about one teaspoon of added sugar per day.

The chocolate and cocoa industry agreed to a Consent Judgment in California in 2018. The Superior Court of the State of California, San Francisco County, granted a motion to enter the Consent Judgment on February 14, 2018, which remains in effect. The Consent Ruling established concentration levels for both lead and cadmium that replace the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment MADLs for cocoa and chocolate products.

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