A new study from George Washington University warns that many cocoa products in the US contain worrying levels of toxic heavy metals.
To carry out the study, the researchers analyzed 72 foods containing cocoa - including dark chocolate - for eight years. More than 70 dark chocolate products sold at stores such as Amazon, GNC and Whole Foods were purchased to test for contamination by toxic metals, although the names of the products and manufacturers were not disclosed in the study.
They found that 43% of the products contained more lead than recommended, while 35% exceeded cadmium limits. The products were also analyzed for arsenic, but none exceeded the maximum level of contamination.
Cadmium is suspected to be a soil contaminant, while lead is suspected to be introduced into products through drying, processing or packaging.
Frame adds that "while it's not practical to completely avoid heavy metals in food, you should be careful about what you eat and how much. Researchers argue that high levels of lead can also be found in shellfish, offal and food or herbal supplements grown in contaminated soil or imported from countries with less regulations such as China, Nigeria, India and Egypt.
Exposure to lead can cause high blood pressure and brain, kidney and reproductive health problems. Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle and joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability and loss of sex drive, according to NYC Health.
Likewise, cadmium toxicity can cause chills, fever and muscle pain. Chronic exposure can cause kidney, bone and lung diseases. The study follows a 2022 analysis by Consumer Reports that found cadmium and lead in 28 dark chocolate bars.
A new study from George Washington University warns that many cocoa products in the US contain worrying levels of toxic heavy metals.
To carry out the study, the researchers analyzed 72 foods containing cocoa - including dark chocolate - for eight years. More than 70 dark chocolate products sold at stores such as Amazon, GNC and Whole Foods were purchased to test for contamination by toxic metals, although the names of the products and manufacturers were not disclosed in the study.
They found that 43% of the products contained more lead than recommended, while 35% exceeded cadmium limits. The products were also analyzed for arsenic, but none exceeded the maximum level of contamination.
Cadmium is suspected to be a soil contaminant, while lead is suspected to be introduced into products through drying, processing or packaging.
Frame adds that "while it's not practical to completely avoid heavy metals in food, you should be careful about what you eat and how much. Researchers argue that high levels of lead can also be found in shellfish, offal and food or herbal supplements grown in contaminated soil or imported from countries with less regulations such as China, Nigeria, India and Egypt.
Exposure to lead can cause high blood pressure and brain, kidney and reproductive health problems. Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle and joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability and loss of sex drive, according to NYC Health.
Likewise, cadmium toxicity can cause chills, fever and muscle pain. Chronic exposure can cause kidney, bone and lung diseases. The study follows a 2022 analysis by Consumer Reports that found cadmium and lead in 28 dark chocolate bars.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/31/dark-chocolate-lead-cadmium (07/31/2024).--