FSM 384: Dark Chocolate and Heavy Metals: What Consumers Should Know

Transcript [Music] I’m Susie Craig from Washington State University Extension. In 2024, a peer reviewed research study of 72 dark chocolate and cocoa products showed 43% exceeded lead and 35% exceeded cadmium levels of California’s Proposition 65 limits. Read the entire study by linking to Resources for this episode, downloading a free pdf. It’s an interesting way to learn about food safety research. The study received lots of media attention. Should you be concerned if you love eating dark chocolate? Proposition 65 is a much more stringent regulatory standard. Other standards are much lower. For those of us occasionally choosing small amounts of dark chocolate, concern is probably not warranted. However, consumers with regular consumption, additive exposure to lead and cadmium may be a concern. Stay tuned for more research. This is Food Safety in a Minute. Thanks for listening. [Music] Resources Hands, Jacob, M. Anderson, Tod Cooperman. Frontiers in Nutrition. A Multi-year Heavy Metal Analysis of 72 Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Products in the USA. Abstract. July 2024. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382168261_A_multi-year_heavy_metal_analysis_of_72_dark_chocolate_and_cocoa_products_in_the_USA. Accessed online 3/2/26.