Study finds toxic metals in US dark chocolate, cocoa products

( NewsNation ) — An eight-year analysis identified toxic metals in some dark chocolate and cocoa products in the United States.

Researchers at George Washington University spent several years conducting the analysis, which was published in the journal Frontiers of Nutrition.

The products in question came from retailers including Amazon, GNC and Whole Foods. The study’s findings suggest 35% of the 72 tested products contained lead above the level deemed acceptable in California . The same was true for 35% of products that contained cadmium.

Researchers based their findings on a maximum allowable dose level of 0.5 mcg/day for lead and 4.1 mcg/day for cadmium.

Researchers said people who eat those products infrequently and in small amounts may not incur any health risk. However, increased exposure to the metals by eating more of them more frequently may be cause for concern.

The study’s authors wrote, “Additional research into cumulative heavy metal exposure from the diet as a whole would help put this work into context to best inform public health policy and interventions.”

Cadmium is a natural element sometimes used to make batteries and other products. Although lead is now restricted, it is sometimes found in older homes and paints.

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