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Consumer Reports recently conducted a comprehensive analysis of chocolate products from various manufacturers, revealing alarming levels of lead and cadmium. The magazine has called on Hershey to immediately reduce heavy metals' presence in its offerings.
The magazine tested 48 items across seven categories: dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and mixes for brownies, chocolate cake, and hot chocolate.
Reuters reported that 16 of the products contained potentially harmful levels of these heavy metals.
Call for Hershey to Reduce Heavy Metal Content in Chocolate
Long-term exposure to lead and cadmium can result in serious health issues such as nervous system problems, immune system suppression, and kidney damage.
Pregnant women and young children are particularly vulnerable. Consumer Reports highlights the critical need for chocolate manufacturers to address this issue and prioritize consumer safety.
All 48 tested products contained detectable amounts of lead and cadmium, the Times of India noted. However, milk chocolate bars, which have fewer cocoa solids, were the only category that did not exceed the acceptable limits.
Products from various brands were found to have excessive heavy metal levels, including popular options such as dark chocolate bars and hot chocolate mixes from Walmart, cocoa powder from Hershey's and Droste, semi-sweet chocolate chips from Target, and hot chocolate mixes from Trader Joe's, Nestle, and Starbucks.
This recent testing follows Consumer Reports' findings from last December, where 23 out of 28 tested dark chocolate bars exceeded safe levels of lead or cadmium. This included Hershey products sold under its own brand, as well as the Lily's and Scharffen Berger brands.
The magazine once again urges Hershey to take action and reduce heavy metal content in its chocolate. An earlier petition garnered over 75,000 signatures from concerned consumers.
Hershey's Response and Commitment
Hershey's Chief Financial Officer, Steve Voskuil, expressed the company's dedication to decreasing lead and cadmium levels in their chocolate. Voskuil acknowledged that cadmium is a naturally occurring ingredient but emphasized Hershey's goal of completely eliminating it.
As a leading and popular brand, Consumer Reports calls for Hershey to commit to producing safer chocolate products by eliminating dangerous levels of heavy metals.
Photo: Israel Albornoz/Unsplash
