Presence of heavy metals in organic chocolate: cadmium, lead, etc.

You may have heard that dark chocolate contains heavy metals, particularly organic dark chocolate. Where does this information come from? Is it true?

The presence of heavy metals in some food products has been known for over 40 years and has been closely studied to establish the consequences for human health. Different criteria are applied in different countries to ensure food safety.

In 2022, researchers studied the heavy metal content in popular chocolate brands in the United States sold between 2004 and 2022. The published study revealed that the heavy metal content, specifically cadmium and lead, in dark chocolate bars far exceeded the maximum heavy metal levels recommended by the State of California. (Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate – Consumer Report). One of the aims of this study was to alert the US authorities to the importance of regulating heavy metal concentrations and implementing controls. It is important to note that in the United States, there is no federal law setting limits on cadmium content in chocolate and cocoa products.

So, what is the situation in France? Can you find abnormally high levels of heavy metals in your chocolate bars? What preventive measures has Kaoka put in place in this context?

Heavy metals: their sources in our food

Let’s start with some introductions. What are heavy metals? Where do they come from? Are they dangerous to our health?

Heavy metals are chemical elements characterised by their high density (their density is higher than 5 g/cm³). Among them, Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg) and Lead (Pb) are subject to specific monitoring, as in their oxidised form they are toxic to all living beings.

Where do heavy metals come from?

Heavy metals are present in various environments and can come from a variety of sources:

• Natural origin: Cadmium is naturally present in some soils. This is also the case for lead, although concentrations are generally lower than those caused by anthropogenic pollution.
• Industry and pollution: these heavy metals are used in the manufacture of batteries and certain plastics. Industrial waste, particularly from battery production and metal processing plants, is a major source of cadmium contamination in the environment. These heavy metals can then be found in soil, water (groundwater and surface water) and air.
• Agriculture: some fertilisers, particularly those based on phosphate, may contain traces of cadmium.

It is also important to note that human industrial and agricultural activities are primarily responsible for their increasing concentration in our environment. And consequently on our food plates.

Which foods are most likely to contain heavy metals?

Heavy metals can be found in many of the products we eat:

• Seafood (fish, crustaceans, molluscs, shellfish),
• Animal products (offal)
• Cereals in all forms (rice, wheat, bread, pasta, biscuits, etc.),
• Leafy vegetables and root vegetables (potatoes),
• Fruit,
• Spices,
• Chocolate and cocoa-based products.

Can heavy metals be dangerous to health?

By definition, heavy metals are toxic at low concentrations and can cause serious damage to human health and the environment. Among them, cadmium, mercury and lead have no health benefits and accumulate in food chains. Prolonged exposure to high doses of heavy metals is toxic to humans.

Be careful not to confuse them with metals in general: for example, zinc, copper and selenium are not heavy metals and remain essential for the proper functioning of our bodies!

Regular, high-dose exposure to heavy metals can have health consequences. Considered carcinogenic, cadmium can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation and damage the kidneys, for example. Lead, which accumulates in soft tissues (kidneys, liver, nervous system) and the skeletal system, is also considered carcinogenic and can cause genetic malformations.

In order to protect the population, in France, European Union standards set maximum limits for cadmium in certain foodstuffs, including chocolate and cocoa powder.

Focus on cadmium in chocolate and cocoa powder:

According to the current European directive on chocolate and cocoa products, the maximum permitted cadmium levels are as below:

• 0.1 mg/kg for milk chocolate containing less than 30% total dry cocoa solids,
• 0.3 mg/kg for chocolate containing between 30% and 50% cocoa,
• 0.8 mg/kg for chocolate containing more than 50% total dry cocoa solids,
• 0.6 mg/kg for cocoa powder intended for use in chocolate drinks.

These limits are established with the aim of ensuring consumer safety and reducing exposure to heavy metals. Intake levels should be weighted according to each individual’s weight: obviously, a child’s consumption should be monitored more closely than that of an adult.

Why can heavy metals such as cadmium and lead be found in chocolate?

As we have seen previously, chocolate is one of the foods most likely to contain traces of heavy metals.

The main cause of heavy metals in chocolate is their presence in the soil (particularly volcanic soil). Like other crops, cocoa trees have the ability to absorb heavy metals from the soil, which is how they end up in cocoa beans and then in the chocolate made from them.

Soil acidity and other environmental factors can influence the absorption of cadmium by cocoa trees.

Why does dark chocolate contain more heavy metals?

By nature, dark chocolate contains a higher proportion of cocoa than milk chocolate and white chocolate. As we have seen previously, cadmium is found naturally in cocoa beans. Therefore, chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa (70% and above) is more likely to contain higher concentrations of these metals.

Why would milk chocolate or white chocolate contain fewer heavy metals?

Milk chocolate and white chocolate contain significant amounts of sugar and milk, which ‘dilute’ the amount of cocoa, thereby reducing the concentration of heavy metals.

Why is it said that organic chocolate contains more heavy metals such as cadmium?

This is indeed a point raised by Consumer Reports. The origin of the cocoa could explain this difference in concentration. The main sources of organic cocoa consumed in the United States come from South America, which is renowned for its volcanic soils rich in minerals. Conventional cocoa comes mainly from West Africa, which accounts for more than 60% of global production and whose soils naturally contain less cadmium.

Do Kaoka chocolates and cocoa powder contain heavy metals such as cadmium and lead?

To avoid any risk associated with heavy metals, at Kaoka we have implemented a heavy metal control plan in accordance with European and French regulations. Several rigorous tests are carried out to detect the presence of heavy metals in cocoa beans before they are processed into chocolate. The analyses carried out take into account the supply chain where the cocoa was grown and the cooperative where it was processed.

Kaoka chocolates and cocoa powder do not contain heavy metal levels that exceed the recommended limits. We monitor and guarantee the compliance of our cocoa beans, cocoa paste and chocolate with current French and European regulations concerning contaminants, including heavy metals.

In addition, Kaoka contributed to research on the impact of heavy metals in Peruvian soil through the Agroecological Regenerative Cocoa project. The project aimed to map cadmium levels in Peruvian soil and measure the impact of soil regeneration on cadmium levels in cocoa. The practices of correcting soil acidity and enriching soil with organic matter implemented in the field help to limit the absorption of cadmium by the plant, which in the long term contributes to further reducing the cadmium levels in our chocolates.

So, should we stop eating (organic) chocolate or not?

Rest assured, European legislation pays close attention to foods that, due to their daily and repeated consumption, lead to greater exposure to heavy metals (cereals, vegetables, nuts and legumes). In general, it is recommended to diversify your diet and favour organic and less processed foods, and to use cosmetics and household products without additives or toxic metals.

It is recommended that adults limit their chocolate consumption to a maximum of 30-50 grams per day. This amount allows you to enjoy the benefits of chocolate (antioxidants, fibre, minerals) and leaves room for a wide variety of other foods.

At Kaoka, we believe that cocoa has many health benefits and that consuming high-quality dark chocolate in moderation has far more advantages than disadvantages! We have dedicated an article specifically to sharing our perspective on the benefits and virtues of chocolate.

If you have any further questions on this subject, please do not hesitate to write to us using our contact form. We will do our best to respond as soon as possible.