Beneath the surface of your favorite cocoa creations lies a hidden truth: heavy metals. Recent reports are showing that there are high levels of heavy metals in cacao – so, what’s that all about?! What are the best brands with the lowest amount of heavy metals like lead and cadmium? We’re peeling back the layers of cacao to spill the cocoa beans on heavy metals and their not-so-sweet side effects.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cacao powder brands.
Note: This article contains affiliate links, meaning In On Around will make a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us maintain the site. As always, we value full transparency & only work with brands we love and trust.
Author: In On Around Founder & CEO, Catherine Power.
- Published On: November 6, 2023
- Updated On: April 21, 2024
Summary:
- Many cacao brands naturally contain high levels of heavy metals. It’s best to request Certificates of Analysis to review levels of Lead and Cadmium.
- Best Brands = Viva Naturals, Terrasoul (many more linked below)
Table of Contents
What is Cacao?
Cacao, often referred to as the “heart and soul of chocolate,” is the pure, natural source of everyone’s favorite sweet treat. Derived from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, cacao is a rich and flavorful ingredient cherished worldwide for its role in crafting decadent chocolates. It’s great for baking, too!
…. but cacao is more than just a delightful flavor – it’s a nutritional powerhouse, boasting antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can promote overall well-being. Whether you enjoy it as a cozy cup of hot cocoa or as an indulgent chocolate bar, understanding the essence of cacao adds a delicious layer of appreciation to your sweet tooth cravings.
Cacao Vs. Cocoa - What's The Difference?
Curious about the cacao vs. cocoa debate? Let’s unravel the mystery. It can be confusing – I get it! Cacao and cocoa might sound very similar, but they’re distinct in terms of processing and flavor profiles.
Cacao, in its raw, unprocessed form, is known for its intense, pure chocolate essence, while cocoa is the result of roasted and processed cacao beans, often found in the chocolate products we adore.
Understanding the nuances between cacao and cocoa helps you to make better choices when shopping for your favorite chocolatey sweets.
Heavy Metals in Cacao: A Hidden Health Concern
Cacao is one of the most potent sources of heavy metals in the diet. Due to the nature of the crop, heavy metals are naturally found in nearly all cacao… BUT sourcing can make a big difference. Some brands have higher or lower levels… so what should you look for? Let’s dive in.
What To Look For In Cacao
When shopping for cacao powder, proper sourcing is critical. Here’s what to look for (and it might take some due diligence & research):
- Low levels of heavy metals (we want to support brands that are fully transparent)
- Do not just take their word for it. You need to see an unadulterated 3rd party test report.
- If a company says their product doesn’t contain any heavy metals, this is a red flag.
- Transparent 3rd party test results
- If they give you the “numbers” via email or over the phone without sending over the official Certificate of Analysis (COA), it’s a red flag and you can’t confirm if that information is correct.
- Remember: heavy metals levels are NOT proprietary or a “brand secret.”
- 100% Organic
- Free of any additives
Heavy metals are NOT proprietary.
Is There Cadmium and Lead in Cacao?
Recently, there’s been a lot of controversy over heavy metals in cacao and chocolate [I’ll have a separate article dedicated to the best chocolate brands]. In 2022, Consumer Reports tested 23 chocolate brands and many of them had high heavy metal levels due to cacao (especially dark chocolate). [1]
The Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) allows for a maximum of 0.1 ppm of Lead consumed per day in food products. [2] There’s no federal standard on oral intake of Cadmium in food.
California, on the other hand, has a maximum of 0.5 micrograms/day for Lead and 4.1 micrograms per day for Cadmium. There are no safe levels for children. It’s best to find cacao below the California limits.
To learn more about Proposition 65, check out: What Is Proposition 65 In California? Prop 65 Explained
There are heavy metals found in nearly all cacao powder brands.
Understanding the Risks and Health Concerns
What’s the importance of choosing brands with low heavy metals? Well, a high amount of heavy metal exposure can contribute to… [3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
- Neurological Effects:
- Impaired cognitive function
- Learning disabilities
- Behavioral issues, especially in children
- Developmental Delays:
- Delayed physical and mental development in children
- Potential birth defects (if exposed while pregnant)
- Kidney Damage:
- Kidney dysfunction or failure with chronic exposure
- Cancer Risk:
- Increased risk of cancer, especially lung and bladder cancer with Cadmium exposure
- Cardiovascular Effects:
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased risk of heart disease
- Gastrointestinal Distress:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Reproductive Issues:
- Fertility problems in both men and women
- Weakened Bones:
- Reduced bone density and increased risk of fractures
- Anemia:
- Low red blood cell count due to lead exposure
- Impaired Immune Function:
- Reduced ability to fight infections
… and more.
Ranking the Safest Cacao & Cocoa Brands with Low Heavy Metal Content
** Keep in mind that heavy metal levels can change by batch & production. If you’re asking for a COA, it’s best to request their most recent test report for the most accurate data. Sometimes brands will pick & choose their COAs from previous years to send out – keep this in mind when selecting a brand to support.
Cadmium and Lead levels are the most important ones to consider for cacao.
Best Cacao & Cocoa Brands
Here are our top picks for cacao (in no particular order):
- Mountain Rose
- They quickly responded to my inquiry with their unadulterated COA from November 2021 (an older COA).
- Cadmium: 0.034 ppm
- Lead: <0.005 ppm – Lowest Lead level of all the “best” brands
- Mercury: <0.830 ppb
- Arsenic: 0.019 ppm
- They quickly responded to my inquiry with their unadulterated COA from November 2021 (an older COA).
- Viva Naturals Organic Cacao Powder
- They quickly responded to my inquiry with their unadulterated COA from August 2023.
- Cadmium: <1.0 ppm
- Lead: <0.1 ppm
- Mercury: <0.1 ppm
- Arsenic: <0.1 ppm
- They quickly responded to my inquiry with their unadulterated COA from August 2023.
- Terrasoul Cacao Powder
- They quickly responded to my inquiry with their unadulterated COA from May 2023.
- Cadmium: 0.675 ppm
- Lead: 0.07 ppm
- They did not test for Arsenic or Mercury.
- They quickly responded to my inquiry with their unadulterated COA from May 2023.
- Wildly Organic Cacao Powder
- They sent me their COA from March 14, 2023:
- Cadmium: <2.0 mg/kg – Highest potential Cadmium levels of the “Best” options
- Lead: <0.1 mg/kg
- Mercury: <0.1 mg/kg
- Arsenic: <0.1 mg/kg
- They sent me their COA from March 14, 2023:
- Zint Raw Organic Cacao Powder
- I finally got an answer after over a month of follow-ups.
- They did not share the full COA, but did share a screenshot of their heavy metals from an undisclosed testing date.
- Cadmium: 0.793 ppm
- Lead: <0.048 ppm
- California Gold Cacao Powder (owned by iHerb)
- I finally got an answer after over a month of follow-ups. They sent me their test report from August 2023:
- Cadmium: 0.633 mcg
- Lead: 0.070 mcg
- Mercury: 0.022 mcg
- Arsenic: 0.016 mcg
- I finally got an answer after over a month of follow-ups. They sent me their test report from August 2023:
- Santa Barbara Chocolate Company
- They initially did not send me their COA, instead they sent me a link to their website.
- When I asked again, they wanted me to keep their heavy metals levels confidential, but they did share the full COA from June 2023. Since I was able to review their full COA, their heavy metal levels are within my standards and fit into the “best” category.
Worst Cacao & Cocao Brands
Since these brands did not send a Certificate of Analysis, we would not recommend them at this time.
- Now Brand Cacao
- They asked me why I was inquiring and refused to send the COA.
- Moon Juice Cosmic Cocoa
- They refused to send me the official test report.
- They claim to be compliant with Prop 65 levels, but there is no way to confirm this without reviewing a lab report.
- “We test all of our products for arsenic and heavy metals and they are well below the legal limit. Arsenic is found in every naturally grown plant, vegetable, and fruit, etc… However, every ingredient we use is triple-tested for heavy metals and complies with CA prop 65 limits which are the lowest limits in the nation. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide test results as these contain sensitive and confidential information about our sourcing and recipe.”
- Better Body Foods Organic Cacao Powder
- They refused to send me the official test report and said that since Cadmium is a naturally occurring heavy metal, they do not routinely test for it, nor do their suppliers.
- Sunfood Raw Organic Cacao Powder
- They did not send me their official COA. There is no way to confirm these findings without reviewing the official report.
- They said “We only produce Certificates of Analyses for retailers, we will gladly provide you the results for our cacao powder:
- Cadmium: 8.2mcg per 5g serving
- Lead: 0.235mcg per 5g serving
- Mercury: 0 mcg per 5g serving”
- Arsenic: 0.185mcg per 5g serving
- Anthony’s Organic Cocoa Powder
- They refused to send me their COA or any information on heavy metals.
- Prana Foods Organic Cacao
- They asked me why I was inquiring then said that their levels are compliant with Canadian regulations, meaning it’s “below detectable levels.” They did not share a COA with me.
- Thrive Market Organic Cacao Powder
- They refused to send me their COA, claiming it’s “proprietary.”
- Vitacost Cocoa Powder
- They refused to send me their COA.
- Navitas Organic Cacao (sold at Whole Foods – ones of the most popular brands)
- They refused to share the official test report, although their website claims that their average for Lead is 0.07ppm and for Cadmium 0.13ppm. [8] There’s no way to confirm this without reading an official test report.
Cacao & Cocoa Brands That Did Not Respond
These brands did not respond to our multiple requests at all:
- Wellsley Farms Organic Cocoa (BJ’s Wholesale Club) – They said a customer representative would reach out about my request, but I have not received anything.
- Blue Lily Organic Cacao
- Divine Organics Cacao
- Whole Foods 365 Cocoa Powder
- Hershey’s Cocoa Powder
- Ghirardelli 100% Cocoa
This is not an exhaustive list. If a specific brand is not on this list, you can reach out to their Quality Department to request their most recent Certificate of Analysis or set up a consulting session with In On Around here.
You can learn more about requesting quality test reports here: What Is A Certificate of Analysis (COA)?
Enjoying Cacao Safely: Smart Consumption Practices
While this is not medical advice, in my opinion, it’s a good idea to limit your consumption of cacao powder to no more than about one teaspoon per day. It’s very easy to go over your allotted daily limit of heavy metals when consuming foods rich in cacao.
Focus on supporting your body to be the best it can be. If you’re fueling your body with high-quality fruits and vegetables that are rich in nutrients and minerals, your body can combat some of the effects of heavy metal exposure. Don’t panic over this information! Heavy metals are ubiquitous, so just be a conscious consumer and do the best you can with the information available to you.
Final Thoughts: Heavy Metals In Cacao
The presence of heavy metals in cacao shouldn’t stop us from enjoying a sweet treat. Let this information empower you to make informed choices when it comes to brands we support. By conducting diligent research and choosing reputable companies that prioritize quality and safety, we can continue to savor the rich flavors of cacao while safeguarding our health!
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What’s your favorite cacao brand?
Let me know your thoughts and key takeaways in the comments below!
xoxo,
Want to read more? Check out my other articles here!
Other references on Heavy Metals in Cacao: Consumer Reports, Navitas, Wildly Organic, As You Sow, Soul Chocolate, ATSDR, Harvard, Gimme The Good Stuff, NPR, NIH, Cleveland Clinic
Copyright In On Around LLC 2023 ©. The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided by this website should not be used as individual medical advice and you should always consult your doctor for individual recommendations and treatment. The information contained in this site is provided on an “as is” basis. Related to this site, there are no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness, or timeliness. In On Around LLC assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site.
Frequently Asked Questions – Heavy Metals in Cacao and Cocoa
Click on the below FAQs to learn more about: cocoa processing, cacao manufacturing, heavy metal contamination, cacao sourcing, lead exposure, and the cacao industry.
The common heavy metals found in cacao include lead, cadmium, and occasionally arsenic.
Heavy metal exposure is linked to potential neurological damage, developmental issues, increased cancer risk, kidney damage, cardiovascular problems, and more.
Cacao is the raw form of the cocoa bean, while cocoa is the processed and roasted form of cacao.
No, despite what many brands will claim, the levels of heavy metals found in products are not proprietary or a brand secret.
