Consumer Reports has called on chocolate makers to pledge this Valentine’s Day to reduce the amounts of lead and cadmium in their dark chocolate products, which recently became known to contain harmful levels of heavy metals.
According to Reuters, the agency sent letters to Hershey Co., Mondelez International Inc., Theo Chocolate and Trader Joe’s, saying long-term exposure to metals can harm people’s health, causing nervous system problems. , suppression of the immune system and kidney damage.
The day of love and friendship is approaching, and on February 14, the gift of chocolates is usually very popular among consumers.
The letters were backed by 55,000 petition signatures and recall that the consumption of dark chocolate represents a greater danger for pregnant women and young children due to the risk of developmental problems.
Consumer Reports recently noted that 23 of 28 dark chocolate bars it tested included potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium, or both for people who consume more than an ounce of chocolate per day.
Those containing high levels of both metals include two each from Theo and one each from Hershey-owned Lily’s, Mondelez-owned Green & Black’s and Trader Joe’s.
The agency points out that consumers use dark chocolate for its health benefits and low sugar levels, but remember that it is not healthy to ingest heavy metals.
It’s best to treat chocolate as a gift, as a single ounce of even one of the highest-tested chocolates for cadmium and lead is unlikely to cause immediate harm. The risk comes with frequent consumption over time.
“Heavy metals are also found in other foods, including many that are more nutritious and important to eat as a regular part of a healthy diet, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach,” Consumer Reports says. “So it’s better to only eat dark chocolate once in a while. Having a serving a few days a week, especially with a product that has lower levels, means you can eat dark chocolate without worrying too much.”
You may also like:
– They develop a new method to produce “fruity” and “floral” flavored chocolate
– Chocolate is one of the most harmful foods for the environment
– How to include cocoa in your diet and take advantage of its properties without gaining weight