It would also be enlightening to read a deep dive on lead contamination of chocolate/cocoa, as it seems to be quite a problem within the industry. This contamination also makes much more tenuous the idea of chocolate as a “health” food.
I love chocolate, though it's important to note that many brands have high levels of lead and cadmium, even organic and fair trade brands. Cacao concentrates heavy metals in the plant, older trees more so, and processing equipment uses bronze and other alloys containing heavy metals. I am fortunate to get chocolate from a neighbor with young trees, and no funky processing equipment.
Excellent, as usual. Thank you.
It would also be enlightening to read a deep dive on lead contamination of chocolate/cocoa, as it seems to be quite a problem within the industry. This contamination also makes much more tenuous the idea of chocolate as a “health” food.
Chocolate beats Prozac and @Moderndiscontent tells us why.
I love chocolate, though it's important to note that many brands have high levels of lead and cadmium, even organic and fair trade brands. Cacao concentrates heavy metals in the plant, older trees more so, and processing equipment uses bronze and other alloys containing heavy metals. I am fortunate to get chocolate from a neighbor with young trees, and no funky processing equipment.
Consumer reports has articles about it https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/a-third-of-chocolate-products-are-high-in-heavy-metals-a4844566398/ which may be paywalled.
Tamara Rubin, aka the Lead Safe Mama has a number of articles about it as well https://tamararubin.com/?s=Chocolate
Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate
Consumer Reports found dangerous heavy metals in chocolate.
https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/lead-and-cadmium-in-dark-chocolate-a8480295550/