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How 72 popular chocolates sold in the US contain toxic metals linked to cancer
Candy lovers beware: Nearly half of popular chocolate bars on the market in the US were found to contain toxic metals that have been linked to devastating diseases, including cancer.
Researchers in Washington DC purchased and analyzed 72 commercial cocoa products over eight years, testing them for heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
The levels were then compared to the maximum thresholds set by California's Proposition 65 (Prop 65), which regulates how much toxic metal can be found in food or drinks.
They found that all products contained traces of toxic metals, and almost half had up to 20 percent more than the maximum allowed dose of lead. More than a third exceeded allowed levels of cadmium, which has been linked to cancer and kidney damage.
The Researchers from George Washington University did not disclose which chocolates were tested.
An analysis in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition found 72 samples of chocolate contained toxic metals like lead and cadmium, and more than half had levels higher than maximum daily allowances
The team also noted that a single serving of the sweet treats likely wouldn't cause health issues, but consuming multiple servings could pose dangers like kidney dysfunction, heart disease, and cancer.
The findings come amid other recent research, which has estimated that thousands of cancer cases per year could be linked to foods laced with lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
Dr Leigh Frame, study author and director of integrative medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: 'We all love chocolate, but it’s important to indulge with moderation as with other foods that contain heavy metals including large fish like tuna and unwashed brown rice.
'While it's not practical to avoid heavy metals in your food entirely, you must be cautious of what you are eating and how much.'
Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic can get into food products from soil, air, water or during the manufacturing process, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
The team, from George Washington University, purchased 72 chocolate products between 2014 and 2022 from online retailers, stores like Whole Foods, and distributor websites.
It's unclear where the stores were located.
The maximum daily thresholds, set by California's Prop 65, were 0.5 micrograms per day, 4.1 micrograms per day, and 10 micrograms per day for lead, cadmium, and arsenic, respectively.
This was one major caveat of the study, as California is known for having stricter limits on heavy metals than many other states and leading the charge in enacting restrictions.
All of the products tested positive for traces of toxic metals. However, 43 percent of chocolates exceeded Prop 65's maximum level of daily exposure, and more than one in three chocolates had levels above this limit.
And surprisingly, chocolates labeled 'organic' had higher levels of lead and cadmium than their 'non-organic' counterparts, totaling 3.2 micrograms per serving on average.
The above graphic shows the 28 chocolate bars tested by New York-based nonprofit Consumer Reports in a study separate from that by GWU researchers. All were found to contain lead and cadmium
Toxic metals like lead and cadmium have been linked to several brands of baby food in studies separate from that by GWU researchers
Lead has long been linked to a slew of health issues, including developmental delays and behavioral problems in children. Some evidence also suggests that autistic children have more lead in their blood, but the research is mixed.
Additionally, the EPA has classified lead and cadmium as probable human carcinogens, meaning they could cause cancer. Chronic exposure to cadmium has also been linked to kidney damage.
There is no safe level of lead consumption, according to the FDA and CDC.
Meanwhile, none of the products in the sample exceeded safe levels of arsenic, a known carcinogen linked to lung, bladder, and skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.
The team also noted that levels of all three metals decreased in samples over their study period, which could be due to crackdowns in states like California to limit heavy metal exposure.
The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that high levels of toxic metals are lurking in chocolates, vegetables, and even baby food.
A 2022 analysis from watchdog Consumer Reports, for example, found lead and cadmium in 28 chocolate products last year, including Hershey's and Lindt.
In response to the study, a spokesperson from the National Confectioners Association told DailyMail.com: 'Chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries.'
'Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible.'
The study was published Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.