All 29 Chocolate Samples Tested Contain Cadmium, 20 Dark Chocolates Contain Lead: HK Consumer Council

The Hong Kong Consumer Council issued a test report on Oct. 16, 2023 that shows there was cadmium in all the 29 chocolate samples tested, one of which even exceeded the EU allowed upper limit. courtesy of the Hong Kong Consumer Council

The Hong Kong Consumer Council published the latest edition of its monthly magazine “Choice,” on Oct. 16, which includes one item on chocolates. It shows that heavy metal, cadmium, was detected in all 29 chocolate samples, with one of them even exceeding the European Union’s regulatory limit. A number of the samples were also found to contain lead, cadmium, and traces of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that can cause cancer. The same tests also found that the average sugar content of milk chocolates is 90 percent higher than that of dark chocolates.

The 29 chocolate samples evaluated this time included 20 “dark” (cocoa-biased) chocolates and nine “white” (milk-biased) ones. The prices of the former samples range from HK$28.80 to HK$160 (US$3.7 to 20.5) a pack. Except for one that has no weight label, the average selling price of the rest ranges from HK$2.9 to HK$32 (US$0.4 to 4) per 10 grams, a difference of about ten times. Among them, the dark chocolate sample with the lowest price received an overall score of 5 points from the Consumer Council, while the highest-priced one got just 2, an indication that there is no inherent relationship between price and product quality.

As for the milk chocolate samples, the selling price ranges from HK$10 to 158 (US$1.3 to 20) per pack, and the average selling price per 10 grams ranges from HK$1 to 7.5 (US$0.13 to 1), a difference of about 6.5 times.

Among the 29 samples, seven dark, and six milk chocolates received a total score of 5 points. “Lindt,” and “Valor” are the two lowest-priced brands in this evaluation, with the latter claiming to have “no added sugar,” and is sold at an average price of HK$2.9 (US$0.4) for every 10 grams (0.4 ounce).

Long-term Consumption of High Cadmium Foods May Cause Kidney Damage

In terms of heavy metals, cadmium was found in all 29 samples ranging from 0.039 mg to 0.937 mg per kilogram, a 23-fold difference. The one with the highest amount of cadmium was “Amedei Blanco De Criollo Extra Dark Chocolate 70 percent,” which exceeded the EU upper limit of 0.8 mg per kilogram, leading to the overall rating of this sample at just 2 points.

The Consumer Council reminds the public that long-term consumption of foods with high cadmium content may damage the kidneys and it has forwarded the samples exceeding the EU limit to the Centre for Food Safety for follow-up.

In addition, all 20 dark chocolate samples were found to contain lead, and nine samples were found to contain arsenic. Lead was detected in five out of the nine milk chocolate samples, but arsenic was not detected in any of them.

The Centre for Food Safety later responded that regarding the contaminant levels mentioned in this report, the Centre’s risk assessment showed that all the chocolate samples here would not cause any harm to one’s health under normal consumption, and they all comply with the requirements of current Hong Kong legislation.

Carcinogenic PAHs Detected but Within Limit

During the high-temperature heating process of food, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are formed when carbohydrates, fats, or other organic matters decompose, among which benzo[a]pyrene ((B[a]P) is classified as “a Group 1 genotoxic carcinogen, while other PAHs including benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene have all been classified as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2B).

This test referenced the PAHs limit set by the European Union for cocoa and its products, which stipulates that the upper limit of B[a]P is 5 micrograms per kilogram of fat, and the total level of four PAHs (B[a]P, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and chrysene) are capped at 30 micrograms per kilogram of fat. PAHs were detected in 15 dark chocolate samples and eight milk chocolate samples. Among them, B[a]P was seen in five dark chocolate and three milk chocolate samples, ranging from 0.3 micrograms to 0.6 micrograms per kilogram. None exceeds the limit set by the EU.

Milk Chocolates Higher in Sugar, Dark Chocolates Higher in Total Fat

The Consumer Council also tested the amount of sugar and fat in the samples and found that the sugar content in 20 brands of dark chocolate ranged from zero to 36g (1.3 ounce) per 100g (3.5 ounce), while nine brands of milk chocolate were found to contain 46g to 60.5g (1.6 to 2.1 ounce) per 100g. Except for two samples labeled “sugar-free,” the rest were all “high-sugar” foods. The sugar content of milk chocolate is generally higher. The average sugar content of the nine milk chocolate brands is 53.8 grams (1.9 ounces), which is 90 percent higher than the average sugar content of the 18 dark chocolate samples (with added sugar). The Consumer Council found that the sugar content detected in 3 dark chocolate samples was more than 20 percent higher than the value stated on their labels.

Moreover, 20 dark chocolate samples were found to contain 35.2 to 50.7g (1.2 to 1.8 ounces) of total fat per 100g (3.5 ounces), and the saturated fat content ranged from 22.4 to 32.1g (0.8 to 1.1 ounces) per 100g (3.5 ounces). Among them, “Millésime” was found to have the highest total fat and saturated fat contents, revealing a discrepancy of 23 and 129.3 percent respectively from what was stated on the nutrition label. In addition, the saturated fat content detected in two dark chocolate samples also exceeded the values stated on their labels by more than 20 percent.

The Consumer Council pointed out that although the average total fat content of dark chocolate samples was higher than that of the milk chocolate samples, trans-unsaturated fatty acid was not detected in any of the dark chocolates, but a small amount of this fatty acid was detected in two milk chocolates. In addition, one milk chocolate sample “Cadbury Dairy Milk” was found to have illegible numbers printed on its label. This has been reported to the Centre for Food Safety for follow-up.

The Centre for Food Safety responded later that regarding the label issue, the Centre found that one product was suspected of violating relevant labeling regulations and it has initiated prosecution procedure and follow-up. Except for four products that are no longer on the market, the Centre has performed tests on the other products to verify the actual content against the values stated on their labels. One has passed the tests, while the results of the remaining products are still pending.

Adults’ Weekly Chocolate Intake Should Be Below 100 Grams

The Consumer Council also reminds the public that although some studies have shown that consuming chocolate or cocoa products can help improve blood lipids and the risk of heart disease, they should only do so in moderation. The latest research points out that adults should limit their weekly chocolate intake to less than 100 grams. In general, products with a higher cocoa content will contain higher amounts of polyphenols and less sugar. The Consumer Council recommends that if the public wants to consume healthy polyphenols, they may consider consuming dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content.

By nature, caffeine is inherent in cocoa beans. Although caffeine has a refreshing effect, it can also stimulate the central nervous system, and excessive intake of it can affect sleep or cause stomach discomfort. The Consumer Council thus reminds that children, pregnant women, and women on lactation should pay special attention to their caffeine intake. The European Food Safety Authority recommends that children’s daily caffeine intake should not exceed 3 mg per kilogram of body weight.

In addition, theobromine in chocolate also has a stimulant effect. While human beings have a strong ability to metabolize theobromine, pets may not be able to do the same at will. Therefore, the Consumer Council recommends that we should avoid feeding domestic pets with chocolates.