LEAD AND CADMIUM IN FOOD
Responding to published research showing high levels of heavy metals in commonly eaten food items, As You Sow began extensive independent laboratory testing of 42 chocolate products for lead and cadmium. We found that 26 of the chocolate products (~62%) contain lead and/or cadmium at levels in which one serving exceeds the California safe harbor level for reproductive harm. We filed notices with 16 manufacturers, including See’s, Mars, Hershey, Lindt, Godiva, Whole Foods, and others, for failing to provide required warnings to consumers that their chocolate products contain lead, cadmium, or both.
Lead and cadmium were found in popular chocolate products.
See the products we tested in the tables below.
No level of lead is safe for children. Lead exposure has been a significant public health issue for decades and is associated with neurological impairment, such as learning disabilities and lower IQ, even at low levels. “No amount of lead ingestion is ‘safe’ for children,” states Sean Palfrey, MD, a pediatrician and professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at Boston University School of Medicine. “Pregnant women and young children with developing brains in particular should avoid any ingestion of lead.”
Cadmium is also known to cause reproductive harm. Chronic exposure to cadmium has been to kidney, liver, and bone damage in humans. Children are more susceptible to exposure effects from low doses of cadmium over time. Companies are not doing enough to keep their products safe and below California’s safe harbor level for reproductive harm for these toxic heavy metals.
As You Sow, a consumer health protection organization, commissioned an independent state-certified laboratory to measure levels of lead and cadmium in 42 chocolate products available at retailers across California. The charts indicate whether, pursuant to test results, the product requires a warning under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act.
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WARNING REQUIRED Bissinger’s All Natural 60% Dark Chocolate Whole Almonds |
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Earth Circle Organics Organic Balinese Cacao Nibs Cold Pressed |
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Ghiradelli Intense Dark 72% Cacao Twilight Delight Chocolate Bar |
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Ghiradelli Chocolate Premium Baking Bar 100% Cacao Unsweetened Chocolate |
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Godiva Chocolatier 50% Cacao Dark Chocolate Sea Salt |
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Godiva Chocolatier 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate |
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Scharffen Berger Semisweet Fine Artisan Dark Chocolate (62% cacao) |
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Scharffen Berger Extra Dark Fine Artisan Dark Chocolate (82% cacao) |
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Dagoba Organic New Moon Rich Dark Chocolate (74% cacao) |
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Lake Champlain Chocolates Dark Chocolate (57% cocoa) |
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Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa Excellence Extra Dark |
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Dove Silky Smooth Dark Chocolate Bar |
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Green & Black’s Organic 85% Cacao Bar |
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Moonstruck Dark Chocolate Chile Variado (68% cacao) |
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See’s Candies Premium Extra Dark Chocolate (62% cacao) |
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Private Selection 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate Swiss Bar |
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Theo Organic Fair Trade Pure 85% Dark Chocolate |
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Trader Joe’s Swiss 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate |
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Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Bar – Toffee With Walnuts and Pecans 70% cacao |
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Trader Joe’s Pound Plus Dark Chocolate |
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Trader Joe’s Pound Plus, 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate |
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Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate 73% Cacao Super Dark |
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Trader Joe’s The Dark Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Bar (85% cacao) |
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Wild Ophelia All Natural New Orleans Chili – Dark Chocolate Bar (70% cacao) |
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NO WARNING REQUIRED |
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Wild Harvest Organic Rich Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix |
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Flipz 50% cacao Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels |
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Endangered Species Natural Dark Chocolate (72% cocoa) |
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Ferrero Collection Fine assorted Confections |
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Ghiradelli Intense Dark Midnight Reverie (86% Cacao) |
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Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate |
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Reese’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups |
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Jo’s Candies Dark Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers “All Natural” |
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Toblerone Swiss Milk Chocolate Bar with Honey and Almond Nougat |
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Lindt Excellence A Touch of Sea Salt Dark (with Fleur de Sel sea salt crystals) |
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Snickers |
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CocoaVia Daily Cocoa Extract Supplement |
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Green & Black’s Organic Milk Chocolate (34% Cacao) |
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Nestle Crunch |
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Ovaltine Classic Malt Mix |
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Starbucks Dark Chocolate Covered Grahams |
Source: As You Sow
