If you've seen headlines about heavy metals like lead and cadmium in chocolate over the past few years, you're not imagining it, and you're not wrong to want answers. As a brand run by a doctor who partners with credentialed nutrition professionals, we'd rather give you the real research than ask you to take our word for it, and we conduct extensive testing on our chocolate.
So, are there heavy metals in chocolate we should be worried about?
Recent independent studies have found measurable levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium in many popular chocolate brands, including organic options. Heavy metals are something to watch out for, especially if you eat a lot of dark chocolate.
Surprisingly, research has found that organic chocolate products can actually test higher for heavy metals than non-organic ones. Organic certification governs farming and pesticide practices, not heavy metal testing. The organic label doesn't tell you anything about heavy metal levels.
A 2024 study from George Washington University examined 72 dark chocolate and cocoa products over an eight-year period and found that 43% exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for lead and 35% exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for cadmium. The good news: none of the products exceeded the arsenic thresholds.
Lead builds up in the body over time, and there's no amount that's considered completely safe. Cadmium mainly harms the kidneys, building up in them with repeated exposure. The level and duration of exposure are what have the greatest impact.
However, when Tulane University modeled real-world chocolate consumption of about one ounce per day, they found no adverse risk for adults, though the researchers noted very minimal risk for children.
The takeaway isn't to panic, but to practice moderation and know what you're buying and if it has been tested. If you eat dark chocolate regularly, it’s important to make sure the chocolate has been tested for heavy metals.
How do heavy metals get into chocolate in the first place?
Lead and cadmium are naturally occurring heavy metals found in soil and water, which means trace amounts can show up in food without anyone doing anything wrong. But how much shows up, and why some brands have higher heavy metals than others, is what makes the biggest difference.
Cadmium is absorbed naturally by the cacao plant from the soil it grows in. High-risk regions include parts of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, where a combination of naturally cadmium-rich volcanic soil and mining activity in the region contributes to higher levels in cacao.
Just Date sources its cacao from the Dominican Republic, which consistently tests low for cadmium; the island's geology is not volcanic, unlike that of higher-risk regions.
Lead exposure happens mostly after harvest, when cacao beans are drying or being processed and come into contact with environmental contaminants like dust and soil particles.
Does your favorite chocolate pass the safety test?
The good news is that not all chocolates have high levels of heavy metals; you just need to know what to look for. Here's how to vet your chocolate before buying.
-
Ask brands directly whether they test for heavy metals and ask to see proof, not just 'we care about quality.'
-
Don't rely on "organic" or "fair trade" labels alone. As the research above shows, neither claim is a stand-in for heavy metal testing.
Through careful sourcing and regular testing, it's entirely possible to eat chocolate every day and feel good about it without worrying about heavy metals. The key is knowing which brands are actually doing the work.
Here's what we can tell you about heavy metals testing:
We test rigorously and regularly for heavy metals and send our products to independent third-party labs every six months to test for lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. We test that frequently because heavy metal levels can vary between harvests and batches, so a single test isn't enough.
As a company founded by a doctor and mom whose kids eat copious amounts of chocolate, we make sure our products meet unreasonably high safety standards.
We're proud to say our chocolate consistently comes in well below the established safety threshold. We hold ourselves to stricter standards than the industry and consumer advocacy groups, and we are committed to rigorous sourcing and testing to reduce exposure to heavy metals.
(And if you have questions about our sourcing or standards, just reach out at enjoyjustdate.com.)
The bottom line on heavy metals in chocolate?
Heavy metals in chocolate are real and well-documented, but they don't have to be a reason to give up something you love. Occasional trace amounts of heavy metals are common across many foods; this is one of the reasons we are serious about our ingredients and testing processes to reduce exposure over time.
You deserve chocolate you can feel good about eating, and that starts with brands that are transparent about what's in it.
About the Author
Rhyan is an award-winning plant-based dietitian and the Phoenix Vegan Dietitian, where she helps people enjoy more plant-based foods through media channels and writing. She is the author of Vegan Slow Cooking for Two and has been featured in Women's Health, Well+Good, Forbes, Food Network, Shape, and more. She has also appeared on local Arizona news channels 12 News and abc15. Rhyan graduated from Arizona State University with a BS in Dietetics and completed her Dietetic Internship at Georgia Southern University. Connect with her at www.phxvegandietitian.com or on Instagram at @phxvegandietitian
