If you love chocolate, you may be interested in research that uncovered ingredients hidden in your favorite snack.

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition in 2024 revealed that many cocoa-containing products, such as chocolate, have concerning levels of toxic metals, including lead and cadmium. This situation arises from the cultivation and manufacturing practices involved in producing cocoa. Dark chocolate, which has a higher cocoa content, is reported to have elevated concentrations of heavy metals.

The researchers in the study examined many dark chocolate bars, cocoa powders, and cocoa nibs to determine if they were contaminated with heavy metals at concentrations exceeding those deemed safe by California’s Proposition 65. This law includes some of the nation’s strictest food and chemical regulations. Among the products tested, 43 percent contained lead levels that California law considers unsafe, and 35 percent had cadmium concentrations, which are also considered unsafe. Both metals are toxic and have been linked to various health issues, particularly in children.

However, if you’re a chocolate lover, you don’t have to give up chocolate entirely, but it is important to be mindful of your consumption. For healthy adults, enjoying a few ounces of chocolate each week is generally not a concern.

Another study, published in the National Library of Medicine, concluded that consuming an ounce of dark chocolate daily poses no risk to healthy adults who are not pregnant. Pregnant women and very young children should limit their intake of dark chocolate, as they are more vulnerable to the health risks from heavy metals in their diets.

Those who eat a lot of dark chocolate and other foods known to contain heavy metals, such as certain seafood, teas, and spices, should also think about limiting their intake.