Chocolate reduced-fat milk in the HMI library has 68 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, uranium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se, Ca, F and K from 7 sources.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →625th Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →
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Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel and chromium and others, in 68 results from 7 sources.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →
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Main drivers:
Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold from all samples of type (n=3) had cadmium higher at 52 µg/kg, against 25 µg/kg for all samples of type (n=12) in the same study.3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →
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Practical framing:
Ask for lot results with a quantification limit well below the limit that applies in the destination market.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →
Chocolate reduced-fat milk overview
Chocolate reduced-fat milk in the HMI library has 68 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, uranium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se, Ca, F and K from 7 sources.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →625th Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold from 9 results in 2 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 18.8 µg/kg.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → In the US Total Diet Study, chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold had a median lead result of 1.2 µg/kg across 27 composites from 2017–2020.2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →
Across 3 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 1.1 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 28 µg/kg (Zealand 2011).4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source → For cadmium, 4 studies on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis reported means and medians from 2.6 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 52 µg/kg (Burgon 2023).3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source → Higher results came from contaminated or exposed settings rather than ordinary supply. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold from all samples of type (n=3) had cadmium higher at 52 µg/kg, against 25 µg/kg for all samples of type (n=12) in the same study.3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →
For a buyer the practical points are the form bought, the basis a result is reported on, where the chocolate reduced-fat milk came from and the laboratory’s reporting limit. Testing finds contamination but does not remove it.
What counts as chocolate reduced-fat milk
This page covers chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold (68 results).1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →625th Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →
Results stay on the basis each source reports: as sold or fresh weight, dry weight, or unstated. Dry-weight, as-sold and unstated results are never pooled, and no moisture conversion is applied.
Heavy metal contamination profile of chocolate reduced-fat milk
The table holds every extracted chocolate reduced-fat milk result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 68 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →5The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →625th Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source → Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →
19 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 4 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded. 3 values from 1 source failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →
Comparison methods and scope
Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of chocolate reduced-fat milk, group and metal; percentiles, ranges and maxima reported for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row. Different forms and preparation states are kept apart, and dry-weight results never share a reference with as-sold or fresh-weight results. Ratings place a result against an HMI reference built from monitoring results and ordinary-setting medians for the same form and basis. Same-study contrasts compare a contaminated or treated site with its control, targeted with random sampling, a prepared form with the unprocessed one, or one group of a study with the median of its other groups. Held rows failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.
First displayed analyte: Lead: 14 findings from 7 sources. Each row retains its statistic and measurement basis.
Filter findings
53 of 53 findings · 16 analytes
About this table
| Food form | Collection scope | Finding (µg/kg) | Comparison | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11 findings · 7 studies · 3 spread figures folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldWHO GEMS/Food | WPRO2009 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldFDA Total Diet Study | 6 collection regions2017–2020 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 7–11 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | mean. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldSpungen et al. 2024 | all samples2018–2020 | mean. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | mean.Same samples: 12–56 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia, national food2013–2014 | median.Same samples: 5–7 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia, national food2013–2014 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldWHO GEMS/Food | SEARO2010Basis not stated | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldKithure et al. 2023 | single supermarket sample, Nairobi2022Basis not stated | mean. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2013–2014Basis not stated | median. | ||
12 findings · 7 studies · 4 spread figures folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldWHO GEMS/Food | EURO2003 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldWHO GEMS/Food | PAHO2011–2017 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldWHO GEMS/Food | PAHO2012 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldWHO GEMS/Food | WPRO2009–2013 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldFDA Total Diet Study | 6 collection regions2017–2020 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 10–120 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 9–94 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldSpungen et al. 2024 | all samples2018–2020 | mean. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | mean.Same samples: 17–100 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia, national food2013–2014 | median.Same samples: 8–22 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia, national food2013–2014 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldKithure et al. 2023 | single supermarket sample, Nairobi2022Basis not stated | not detected. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2013–2014Basis not stated | median. | ||
7 findings · 3 studies · 1 spread figure folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldWHO GEMS/Food | WPRO2009 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldFDA Total Diet Study | 6 collection regions2017–2020 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | mean.Same samples: up to 37 µg/kg (range; lowest below the limit) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | mean. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2008Basis not stated | not detected. | ||
4 findings · 3 studies · 1 spread figure folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldFDA Total Diet Study | 6 collection regions2017–2020 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | mean.Same samples: 5.6–9.4 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia, national food2013–2014 | not detected. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2019 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2013–2014Basis not stated | not detected. | ||
1 finding · 1 study | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldFDA Total Diet Study | 6 collection regions2017–2020 | median. | ||
3 findings · 2 studies | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldFDA Total Diet Study | 6 collection regions2017–2020 | median. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2008Basis not stated | not detected. | ||
1 finding · 1 study · 1 spread figure folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | mean.Same samples: 2,700–11,200 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia, national food (2 capital cities x 2 composites)2008 | range. | ||
1 finding · 1 study | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldFDA Total Diet Study | 6 collection regions2017–2020 | median. | ||
2 findings · 1 study · 2 spread figures folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 110–160 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 60–940 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | range. | ||
3 findings · 2 studies · 2 spread figures folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 2,920–4,680 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 1,630–9,240 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldKithure et al. 2023 | single supermarket sample, Nairobi2022Basis not stated | mean. | ||
1 finding · 1 study | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldKithure et al. 2023 | single supermarket sample, Nairobi2022Basis not stated | mean. | ||
1 finding · 1 study | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldKithure et al. 2023 | single supermarket sample, Nairobi2022Basis not stated | mean. | ||
3 findings · 1 study · 1 spread figure folded in | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | mean.Same samples: 70–97 µg/kg (range) | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=3)2020–2022 | range. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | mean. | ||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldBurgon 2023 | all samples of type (n=12)2020–2022 | range. | ||
1 finding · 1 study | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2008Basis not stated | mean. | ||
1 finding · 1 study | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2008Basis not stated | mean. | ||
1 finding · 1 study | ||||
| Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as soldZealand 2011 | Australia nationally distributed foods, not growing origin2008Basis not stated | mean. | ||
Shared dataset methods and interpretation
Source summaries retain their original statistic, material, basis and censoring. Each source drawer identifies methods and overlapping samples. No matched reference or pooled distribution is inferred.
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Pb reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold
Reference and scope
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Pb reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.
| Reference (µg/kg) | Q1 | Median | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary HMI reference | 1.3 | 6 | 18.8 |
| Alternative weighting | 1.3 | 6 | 18.8 |
29 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.
| Contributing family | Reference units | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| WHO GEMS/Food | 1 | 33% |
| FDA Total Diet Study | 27 | 33% |
| Zealand 2019 | 1 | 33% |
Methods
HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.
Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.
Limitations
3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.
Admitted source families
Reference version and interpretation
Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.
hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-reduced-fat-milk-8c060caad952:ef244402320e
The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Cd reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold
Reference and scope
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Cd reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.
| Reference (µg/kg) | Q1 | Median | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary HMI reference | 2–2.1 (bounded) | 3.6–5 (bounded) | 15 |
| Alternative weighting | 2–2.1 (bounded) | 3.2–5 (bounded) | 15 |
41 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.
| Contributing family | Reference units | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| WHO GEMS/Food | 13 | 33% |
| FDA Total Diet Study | 27 | 33% |
| Zealand 2019 | 1 | 33% |
Methods
HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.
Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.
Limitations
3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.
Admitted source families
Reference version and interpretation
Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.
hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-reduced-fat-milk-fe2688f443a8:2ab8b460faed
The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk tAs reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold
Reference and scope
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk tAs reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.
| Reference (µg/kg) | Q1 | Median | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary HMI reference | ≤1 | ≤7.5 | 5–10 (bounded) |
| Alternative weighting | ≤1 | ≤7.5 | 5–10 (bounded) |
30 reference units; 3 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.
| Contributing family | Reference units | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| WHO GEMS/Food | 1 | 33% |
| FDA Total Diet Study | 27 | 33% |
| Zealand 2011 | 2 | 33% |
Methods
HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.
Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.
Limitations
3 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.
Admitted source families
Reference version and interpretation
Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.
hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-reduced-fat-milk-ca8535a7694e:c3b5dc95d717
The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk tHg reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold
Reference and scope
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk tHg reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.
| Reference (µg/kg) | Q1 | Median | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary HMI reference | ≤1 | ≤3 | ≤5 |
| Alternative weighting | ≤1 | ≤3 | ≤5 |
28 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.
| Contributing family | Reference units | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Total Diet Study | 27 | 50% |
| Zealand 2019 | 1 | 50% |
Methods
HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.
Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.
Limitations
2 sampling families with different designs; none is a probability sample of world supply. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.
Admitted source families
Reference version and interpretation
Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.
hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-reduced-fat-milk-3f7b77231aba:4fa5c0208c69
The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Ni reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold
Reference and scope
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Ni reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.
| Reference (µg/kg) | Q1 | Median | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary HMI reference | 54 | 62 | 79 |
| Alternative weighting | 54 | 62 | 74 |
27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.
| Contributing family | Reference units | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Total Diet Study | 27 | 100% |
Methods
HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.
Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.
Limitations
FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate reduced-fat milk ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.
Admitted source families
Reference version and interpretation
Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.
hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-reduced-fat-milk-fe9b1c30cc89:4f47383287c6
The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Cr reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold
Reference and scope
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk Cr reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.
| Reference (µg/kg) | Q1 | Median | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary HMI reference | ≤25 | 29 | 31 |
| Alternative weighting | ≤25 | 29 | 31 |
27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.
| Contributing family | Reference units | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Total Diet Study | 27 | 100% |
Methods
HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.
Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.
Limitations
FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate reduced-fat milk ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.
Admitted source families
Reference version and interpretation
Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.
hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-reduced-fat-milk-25086e6e8ec0:bcbb4e23edc6
The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk U reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold
Reference and scope
HMI chocolate reduced-fat milk U reference · Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.
| Reference (µg/kg) | Q1 | Median | Q3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary HMI reference | ≤1 | ≤1 | ≤1 |
| Alternative weighting | ≤1 | ≤1 | ≤1 |
27 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.
| Contributing family | Reference units | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Total Diet Study | 27 | 100% |
Methods
HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.
Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.
Limitations
FDA Total Diet Study is the only compatible sampling family for chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate reduced-fat milk ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.
Admitted source families
Reference version and interpretation
Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.
hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-reduced-fat-milk-e906a1625bb5:e9618e2e1681
The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.
The source reports only a percentile, range or maximum for these samples, with no mean or median to place against the reference. Spread figures that do have a mean or median are shown on that row instead.
The value could not be reconciled with its own paper, so it is shown but not compared.
The result is below a reporting limit, and the range from zero to that limit crosses more than one band.
No medians or sample values exist for this form and metal, so no HMI reference could be built.
The result is on a basis (dry weight, or not stated) that no HMI reference for this form uses, so it cannot be placed.
No findings match these filters. Change the selection or reset to show all source findings.
How metals reach chocolate reduced-fat milk
The evidence on how metals reach chocolate reduced-fat milk comes from studies that compared exposed and ordinary settings. Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold from all samples of type (n=3) had cadmium higher at 52 µg/kg, against 25 µg/kg for all samples of type (n=12) in the same study.3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →
These are observational comparisons from single studies; the size of the difference depends on the site, metal and distance.
Which forms and regions measured lower
The HMI reference for lead in chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold pools 29 subgroup units from 3 sampling families, with a median of 6 µg/kg and a middle half spanning 1.3 (lower quartile) and 18.8 µg/kg (upper quartile).1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →625th Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source → For cadmium in chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold, the reference median was between 3.6 and 5 µg/kg, with a middle half from between 2 and 2.1 to 15 µg/kg across 41 units.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →625th Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source → For total arsenic in chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold, the reference median was below 7.5 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 1 to between 5 and 10 µg/kg across 30 units.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →5The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →
Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in PAHO (2 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (8.8 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →
Processing, cooking and preparation
No processing study for metals in this food is in the library yet.
Mitigation for chocolate reduced-fat milk
Lot testing against the applicable limit is the check that can be verified.
No measured way to lower metals in this food is in the library yet.
Trade-offs and limits of controls
Avoiding exposed growing areas lowered the metal measured in the studies available, but no study measured the cost or supply effect of doing so.3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source → Metals do not move together, so a lot that passes a lead limit says little about cadmium, arsenic or nickel unless those are tested as well.
Testing chocolate reduced-fat milk for metals
Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 10 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source → Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 0.4 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 25 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source → Reporting limits for total arsenic ranged from 1 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 25 µg/kg (Zealand 2011), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →5The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyFood Standards Australia New ZealandRead source →
A useful lot result names the form, the basis and a quantification limit well below the limit that applies.
Buying and verifying chocolate reduced-fat milk
No maximum level for metals in chocolate reduced-fat milk was verified from primary text for this page; buyers should confirm the limit that applies in the destination market.
Exposure from chocolate reduced-fat milk
No source in the library converted chocolate reduced-fat milk concentrations into a verified estimate of intake for a defined population. Concentrations describe the food, not individual risk.
Evidence review and remaining gaps
Every source record that names chocolate reduced-fat milk was decided on its content: 7 occurrence extracted, 7 records in all. The occurrence table renders every extracted result; held values remain visible with their reason.
References identify the sources used in these answers. The Sources index preserves additional discovery links; inclusion there does not mean a source has been reviewed for this assessment. Corrections, completed searches, new direct evidence and changes in requirements should reopen the relevant answer.
Chocolate reduced-fat milk FAQs
What heavy metals are found in chocolate reduced-fat milk?
The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium, aluminium, uranium, Co, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se, Ca, F and K in chocolate reduced-fat milk, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →2FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →4Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source → WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold from 9 results in 2 reporting regions, with a subgroup median of 18.8 µg/kg.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →
How do heavy metals get into chocolate reduced-fat milk?
In the studies available, chocolate reduced-fat milk from contaminated or exposed settings carried more metal than chocolate reduced-fat milk from the same study’s control.3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source → Chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold from all samples of type (n=3) had cadmium higher at 52 µg/kg, against 25 µg/kg for all samples of type (n=12) in the same study.3Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Master’s thesis, Instituto de Tecnologia de Alimentos (ITAL), Centro de Ciência e Qualidade de Alimentos, Campinas-SP, BrazilRead source →
Which regions report the lowest levels in chocolate reduced-fat milk?
Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, chocolate reduced-fat milk, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in PAHO (2 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (8.8 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.1GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →
References
Works cited on this page, in citation-number order. See Sources for this page’s source inventory. Each title links to a source record with bibliographic details, reported findings, and document provenance.
- GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsDataset
- FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsDataset
- Cacau e Chocolates “Bean to Bar”: Contaminantes Inorgânicos e Ocratoxina A (Cocoa beans and “Bean to Bar” chocolates: Inorganic contaminants and Ochratoxin A)Thesis
- Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Peer-reviewed
- The 23rd Australian Total Diet StudyGovernment
- 25th Australian Total Diet StudyGovernment
Sources
Browse Chocolate reduced-fat milk Sources for sources cited on this page and additional discovery candidates. The searchable index distinguishes verified citation use from discovery relationships whose relevance has not been established.
Update history
22 October 2026: Rebuilt from every chocolate reduced-fat milk record in the library: 7 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.