Candy manufacturers pressured on heavy metals found in chocolate

The organisation is now urging chocolate manufacturers to commit to reducing the amounts of the metals. The Consumer Reports findings, first published in December 2022, detailed the dangers of high levels of heavy metals in food: Consistent exposure to cadmium and lead are most problematic for children and pregnant people because they can cause developmental problems.

“But there are risks for people of any age,” said Tunde Akinleye, the Consumer Reports food safety researcher who led the testing project. “Frequent exposure to lead in adults, for example, can lead to nervous system problems, hypertension, immune system suppression, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.”

Even though most of the chocolate bars tested had “concerning levels” of lead and cadmium, Tunde Akinleye said, five of them were relatively low in both. “That shows it’s possible for companies to make products with lower amounts of heavy metals – and for consumers to find safer products that they enjoy.”