Consumer Reports has raised concerns about the levels of heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, found in dark chocolate products. In their tests of 48 chocolate products, they found potentially harmful levels of these metals in 16 of them. The products tested included cocoa powder, chocolate chips, chocolate bars, and mixes for brownies or cake from major retailers like Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Target. Interestingly, milk chocolate products did not show concerning levels of these metals. The presence of cadmium is likely due to the soil where cocoa is grown, while lead contamination may occur after harvest, possibly from dust and soil during the drying process. While there are no federal limits for lead or cadmium in most foods, Consumer Reports used California’s standards to judge the safety levels. The FDA has acknowledged the issue but noted that chocolate is a minor source of these contaminants. Long-term exposure to even small amounts of heavy metals can lead to various health problems, including developmental issues in children, brain development problems, lower IQ, high blood pressure, poor immune response, kidney damage, and reproductive problems. Consumer Reports has called on chocolate manufacturers, especially Hershey, to reduce the levels of these metals in their products. Some brands have already started working on this, and tests have shown that it is possible to produce dark chocolate with safer levels of heavy metals. For consumers, it’s important to be aware of these findings and consider them when choosing chocolate products.