What The Media Missed When Covering The GWU Chocolate Study

What The Media Missed When Covering The GWU Chocolate Study

Today, the Frontiers in Nutrition journal published the results of a study out of George Washington University (GWU) related to chocolate and cocoa products. The resulting news coverage is missing important context for readers and has left consumers with unanswered questions about sources of lead and cadmium in the diet.

First, chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries. Food safety and product quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to being transparent and socially responsible.

For more context:

• The GWU study concludes that "…if contaminated products as a whole are consumed in small amounts and infrequently by most, these contaminants may not be a public health concern…"
• Chocolate and cocoa products fit this description, according to the FDA.
• FDA has been quoted saying: "While the presence of cadmium and lead in chocolate has been the subject of considerable media attention, experts from around the world have found that chocolate is a minor source of exposure to these contaminants internationally."

Moreover, consumers understand that chocolate and candy are occasional treats and not center-of-the-plate foods. According to the CDC's National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES), people in the U.S. enjoy chocolate and candy 2-3 times per week, averaging just 40 calories and about one teaspoon of added sugar per day.

Recent media coverage and studies on this topic - including the latest from GWU - reference a labeling law in California called Prop 65. Prop 65 is not the same as a scientific food safety analysis.

In 2018, the chocolate and cocoa industry agreed to a Consent Judgment in California. The Superior Court of the State of California, San Francisco County granted a motion to enter the Consent Judgment on February 14, 2018, which remains in effect. The Consent Judgment established concentration levels for both lead and cadmium that supersede thestate's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment MADLs for cocoa and chocolate products.

If you're interested in taking a deeper dive on this topic, I invite you to review the study, full report, and the joint statement we issued in partnership with As You Sow, which was released in August 2022. Then and now, NCA and its member companies are committed to transparency, safety, and quality in our products.