US based firm, Consumer Report warn dark chocolate contain lethal Lead, Cadmium metals
A United States of America (USA) based research firm, Consumer Reports has raised a red flag over lethal metals contained in dark chocolates predisposing consumers to deadly health side effects including reproductive issues, high blood pressure, neurological issues, retarded brain development leading to lower Intelligent Quotient (IQ) as well as cause speech and hearing difficulties, a recent report shows.
According to the report, minors and pregnant women were rated as the most susceptible population of the hazardous traces of Lead and Cadium metals contained in dark chocolates as key ingredients.
Some of the brands mentioned in the report that contain the unsafe metal levels include Hershey’s, Godiva, Dove, Lindt and Tony’s.
Some of these brands are available in the Kenyan market thus exposing consumers to serious health risks.
Consumer Reports, an advocacy nonprofit firm tested over 28 varieties of dark chocolate bars from well-known brands and established that 23 varieties contain unsafe and harmful levels of Lead and Cadmium.
Dr. Micheal DiBartolomeis, a toxicologist said expectant mothers and children are at the greatest risk.
“It is difficult to calculate the exact amount of dark chocolate that is risky to eat which keeps on varying based of consumers with chocolate being one potential source of heavy metal exposure hence need for being mindful of the risks to minimize potential harms accompanied with the product,” DiBartolomeis said in an interview with Consumer Reports.
The Mayo Clinic observed that dark chocolate tends to have a higher heavy metal content than milk chocolate because it contains more cacao or beans used to make chocolate and has Lead exposure linked to cognitive deficiencies in children and may cause developmental delays whereas in adults, it can cause reproductive issues, high blood pressure and neurological issues.
The report by Consumer revealed that the cocoa solids are where the heavy metals, especially cadmium lurk making it difficult to balance the product’s risks and benefits.
“The dark chocolate components sourced from as a relatively healthy treat stems mostly from the cocoa solids and are usually packed with flavanols, which are antioxidants linked to improved blood vessel function, reduced inflammation, lower cholesterol and sugar as well as high in fibre than milk chocolate with magnesium and potassium components,” part of the Consumer Report claimed.
However, when ingested in right quantities which is difficult to enforce, previous reports show dark chocolate has a number of benefits to consumers.
The two metal components are said to find their way into the dark chocolate at different intervals.
Cadmium finding its way to the cacao plant, accumulates to the plant as it grows and finally end up in the dark chocolate with Lead acquired during the harvesting usually found at the surface of the cacao beans.
The report urged the chocolate producers to resort to high surveillance of the cacao-growing areas to determine the key metals with Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) connoting massive impacts of lead amongst children compared to adults including retarded brain development leading to lower Intelligent Quotient (IQ) as well as cause speech and hearing difficulties in minors.
The CDC has warned that Cadmium metal component is a cancer causing agent which affects lungs and causes stomach problems occasioned by unprecedented vomiting resulting from nausea.
