High levels of Lead and Cadmium detected in chocolate products
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Mohsin Shaikh
Alarming Levels of Heavy Metals in Chocolate
A recent study by Consumer Reports has uncovered concerning levels of lead and cadmium in one-third of the chocolate products it examined
Hershey Urged to Reduce Heavy Metal Content
The non-profit consumer advocacy group has called upon Hershey, a major US chocolate manufacturer, to lower the levels of these heavy metals in its products
Comprehensive Testing
The study involved testing 48 chocolate products across seven categories, including dark chocolate bars, milk chocolate bars, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and various mixes
Potentially Harmful Levels Detected
Shockingly, 16 out of the 48 tested products were found to contain excessive levels of lead, cadmium, or both, posing potential health risks
Variety of Brands Implicated
Products with elevated metal content included items from well-known brands such as Walmart, Hershey's, Droste, Target, Trader Joe's, Nestle, and Starbucks
Concerns for Health
Long-term exposure to lead and cadmium can lead to severe health issues, particularly for pregnant women and young children. These risks include nervous system problems, immune system suppression, and kidney damage
FDA's Stance
While the US Food and Drug Administration has said earlier that chocolate is a "minor source of exposure" to these metals, they emphasise that manufacturers must ensure the safety of their food products
Previous Report
This study follows a report by Consumer Reports from December of the previous year, which found excessive lead or cadmium in 23 out of 28 tested dark chocolate bars, including Hershey's products
Hershey's Response
In response to the findings, Hershey's Chief Financial Officer, Steve Voskuil, expressed the company's commitment to reducing lead and cadmium levels in its chocolate products. The National Confectioners Association, speaking on behalf of Hershey, reassured consumers that chocolate and cocoa are safe to enjoy