A new test by the Consumer Council reveals heavy metal and carcinogen concerns in popular chocolate bars, along with widespread nutritional labelling inaccuracies.
Hong Kong’s Consumer Council today released findings from its latest investigation into 29 chocolate products, uncovering that one premium dark chocolate bar contains cadmium levels 17% above European Union safety limits. The study, published in the 564th issue of Choice magazine, also detected carcinogenic compounds in 23 samples and found that several products had nutritional labels that misrepresented actual fat content by up to 129%.
One Dark Chocolate Exceeds EU Cadmium Standards
The council purchased 29 chocolate samples—20 dark chocolate bars and 9 milk chocolate varieties—from supermarkets, department stores, specialty chocolate shops, and grocery outlets across Hong Kong. Laboratory testing focused on heavy metals, carcinogenic compounds, and nutritional accuracy.
Among the dark chocolates, cadmium levels ranged from 0.039 mg to 0.937 mg per kilogram—a staggering 23-fold difference. The worst offender was Amedei’s “Blanco De Criollo Extra Dark Chocolate 70%”, which contained 0.937 mg/kg, exceeding the EU’s maximum permissible level by 17.1%. Health experts warn that prolonged consumption of cadmium-contaminated food can lead to kidney damage.
In contrast, seven milk chocolate samples tested positive for cadmium, with levels between 0.009 mg and 0.092 mg per kilogram—a 9.2-fold variation. None exceeded EU limits.
Lead and Arsenic Detected, But Within Safe Ranges
All 20 dark chocolate bars contained trace amounts of lead, ranging from 0.009 mg to 0.071 mg per kilogram—a 6.9-fold difference. Additionally, nine samples contained arsenic, with levels between 0.025 mg and 0.063 mg per kilogram. Crucially, all samples remained within established safety limits for both metals.
Carcinogenic Compounds Found in 23 Samples
Perhaps more concerning for regular consumers, the council detected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) —known carcinogens—in 15 dark chocolate and 8 milk chocolate samples. The combined concentration of four specific PAHs ranged from 0.2 to 2.9 micrograms per kilogram.
Furthermore, five dark chocolate and three milk chocolate samples contained benzo[a]pyrene, a particularly hazardous PAH, at levels between 0.3 and 0.6 micrograms per kilogram. None exceeded EU maximum limits, but the presence of any carcinogen raises questions about long-term dietary exposure.
Nutritional Labels Mislead Consumers
The investigation revealed significant discrepancies between labelled and actual nutritional content. The Millésime “Chocolat Équateur Noir 70%” dark chocolate bar recorded the highest total fat and saturated fat levels, with actual total fat exceeding its label by 23% and saturated fat surpassing the stated value by an alarming 129.3%.
Similarly, Domori’s “Cacao Criollo 70% Porcelana Dark Chocolate” and Lucullus’s “73% Dark Chocolate Bar” had saturated fat levels 80% and 34.4% higher than their labels indicated, respectively.
High Scorers: Five-Star Recommendations
Despite these concerns, several products earned top marks from the council. The following dark chocolates received five-star ratings:
- Divine Deliciously Smooth Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa
- Meurisse Dark Chocolate from Papua New Guinea 73% Cacao
- Lindt Excellence MILD 70% Cocoa Mild Dark Chocolate
- La Maison Du Chocolat Paris 70% Mexique Intense Dark Chocolate
- Ghirardelli Intense Dark 72% Cacao Dark Chocolate
- Venchi Montezuma Nibs 75% Cocoa Extra Dark Chocolate
- Valor 70% Dark Chocolate No Sugar Added
Milk chocolate five-star selections included:
- Lindt Swiss Classic Swiss Milk Chocolate
- Jacquot Milk Chocolate Bar
- Milka Alpine Milk Bar
- Choklad Ljus Milk Chocolate (UTZ Certified)
- Feodora Deluxe Chocolate Superior Milk Chocolate with 37% Cocoa
- Coles Belgian Milk Chocolate
- Meadows Belgian Milk Chocolate
What This Means for Consumers
The findings highlight the importance of moderation when consuming dark chocolate, which, despite its antioxidant benefits, can accumulate heavy metals from soil where cacao is grown. Consumers concerned about cadmium exposure should consider limiting intake of high-cocoa products, particularly for children and pregnant women.
The council urges manufacturers to improve nutritional labelling accuracy and calls on regulators to consider adopting EU-style heavy metal limits for chocolate. For now, shoppers are advised to check product testing results and rotate brands to minimise cumulative exposure.
For more consumer safety insights, read the council’s previous reports on frozen vegetables and pre-packaged biscuits, where similar contamination issues were identified.