Cadmium in Chocolate

[DJ Silverchild]

Hello Fellow Forum Friends!

 

I am in the cannabis industry and every batch of edibles must be tested for heavy metals. Here in Maine the standard for cadmium in chocolate is lower than european standards, .5mg/kg in Maine, .8mg/kg in Europe. We havent failed yet but came close last week, using the same brand of chocolate we had tested in previous batches. The company i consult for has concerns.

While they LOVE the chocolate they are using, one failed batch could cost thousands so we need options.

Does anyone know of a certified low cadmium chocolate?

[wannabechocolatier]

Don't know anything about this, but might be helpful to mention the brand you were using to begin with.

[pastrygirl]

No idea.

 

Do you know the origin of the chocolate you are using?  If S America has more zinc mines or natural deposits of heavy metals than Africa, maybe choc from Ghana would have lower levels than choc from Bolivia?  I'm sure testing is expensive, would it be worth it to test a few different origins?

[DJ Silverchild]

1 hour ago, wannabechocolatier said:

Don't know anything about this, but might be helpful to mention the brand you were using to begin with.

Agostoni

[JeanneCake]

Have you reached out to the manufacturer to ask them how a variation could occur?  maybe it's a matter of the batch you were using that caused a higher than usual reading?  My guess is that the cannabis industry will be a large purchaser of chocolate and asking the manufacturer to get involved now to help with a solution could be a win-win for you both.  they seem to have a lot of certifications mentioned on their site so....

[wannabechocolatier]

7 hours ago, DJ Silverchild said:

Agostoni

Here's a site that conducted testing for lead and cadmium content among popular brands. Agostoni isn't on there, but hopefully it'll be helpful anyway: https://www.asyousow.org/environmental-health/toxic-enforcement/toxic-chocolate#chocolate-tables