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Organic and Regular Dark Chocolate Contaminated by Lead and Cadmium, Study Finds
Dark chocolate and similar cocoa products are contaminated with lead and cadmium, two neurotoxic metals that are linked to cancer, chronic disease, or reproductive and developmental issues, especially in children, a new study found.
As natural elements in the Earth’s crust, lead, cadmium and other heavy metals are in the soil in which crops are grown and thus can’t be avoided. Some crop fields and regions, however, contain more toxic levels than others, partly due to the overuse of metal-containing fertilizers and ongoing industrial pollution.
However, despite growing on land with fewer pesticides and other contaminants, organic versions of dark chocolate had some of the highest levels, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
The research team examined only pure dark chocolate products as they contain the highest amount of cacao, the raw, unprocessed part of the cacao bean. Candies or baking chocolates with other ingredients were eliminated. The study did not disclose the names or manufacturers of the tested products.
‘Discard These’ Unsafe Kitchen Spices Warns FDA Amid Fresh Recalls
Unsafe levels of lead have been detected in more ground cinnamon products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned.
The announcement comes mere days after the FDA warned consumers to “stop using and dispose of” ground cinnamon from the brand El Servidor. Products now listed in the growing public health alert include those by the brands El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, Compania Indillor Orientale, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, Spice Class and La Frontera.
The FDA has called on the companies in question to voluntarily recall the affected products and warned consumers to check their spice racks and toss out any contaminated items.
Surprise! Foods You’d Never Guess Contain Artificial Food Dye
Environmental Working Group reported:
You’re aware that some sweets, breakfast cereal and soda contain artificial color, so if you don’t eat them, you can mostly avoid artificial food dye — right?
Not so fast. Turns out there are plenty of foods you’d never suspect contain artificial food dyes but actually do – including some seemingly healthy foods.
The presence of these colors is a problem, because research has long shown they are harmful, particularly for children.
Three colors in particular — Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5 and Yellow Dye No. 6 — make up 90% of food dye used in the U.S. More than 36,000 food products sold in the U.S. contain Red 40, according to the Department of Agriculture’s branded foods database.
It’s by far the most used dye, measured by pounds consumed. And EWG’s Food Scores database, which rates products on their nutrition, ingredient and processing concerns, contains about 13,000 products made with dye.
Ultra-Processed Foods That Should Come With a Cigarette-Style Health Warning
The New Zealand Herald reported:
Ultra-processed foods should be treated in a similar manner to cigarettes.
That’s the provocative view of Brazilian professor and nutrition expert Carlos Monteiro, who spoke at the recent International Congress on Obesity and called for all such foods to carry tobacco-style warning labels. He also wants a ban on selling such foods to schools and hospitals.
Dr. Vera Tarman, a specialist in addiction medicine and the author of the book Food Junkies, is firmly in agreement. She points out that in the long-term, more people die of chronic illnesses driven by high consumption of ultra-processed foods than by many drugs.
High consumption of ultra-processed food has been linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes and increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
