Heavy metals in Chocolate syrup

Quick read

Chocolate syrup in the HMI library has 15 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium and uranium from 5 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{5Judith H. Spungen · 2019Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

Metals measured:
Lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel and chromium and others, in 15 results from 5 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}
Main drivers:
Form, basis and where the chocolate syrup was sampled; reporting limits decide how many results are non-detects.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}
Practical framing:
Ask for lot results with a quantification limit well below the limit that applies in the destination market.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

Chocolate syrup overview

Chocolate syrup in the HMI library has 15 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium and uranium from 5 sources.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{5Judith H. Spungen · 2019Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} WHO GEMS/Food submissions reported lead in chocolate syrup, as sold from 74 results in 1 reporting region, with a subgroup median of 11.1 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} In the US Total Diet Study, chocolate syrup, as sold had a median lead result of 9.4 µg/kg across 3 composites from 2018–2020.^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Across 2 other studies of ordinary farms and markets, reported lead means and medians on an as-sold or fresh-weight basis ranged from 9.2 µg/kg (Spungen et al. 2024) to 14 µg/kg (Gavelek et al. 2019).^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →} Spungen et al. 2024 reported cadmium at 13 µg/kg (mean) in chocolate syrup, as sold from all samples.^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}

For a buyer the practical points are the form bought, the basis a result is reported on, where the chocolate syrup came from and the laboratory’s reporting limit. Testing finds contamination but does not remove it.

What counts as chocolate syrup

This page covers chocolate syrup, as sold (15 results).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{5Judith H. Spungen · 2019Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead 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 syrup

The table holds every extracted chocolate syrup result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 15 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.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{5Judith H. Spungen · 2019Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead 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.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

8 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 0 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded.

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of chocolate syrup, 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.

About this table

Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence

Chocolate syrup findings from monitoring programmes, total diet studies and every extracted field, market and contaminated-site study, in µg/kg with each source’s form, basis, statistic and censoring retained.
Food form	Collection scope	Finding (µg/kg)

6 findings · 5 studies
Chocolate syrup, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2013	median.
Chocolate syrup, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2000–2017	median.
Chocolate syrup, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Chocolate syrup, as soldGavelek et al. 2019	US FDA Total Diet Study 2014-2016, all regions and collections2014–2016	mean.
Chocolate syrup, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.
Chocolate syrup, as soldSpungen 2019	all samples, TDS market baskets 2014-20162014–2016Basis not stated	mean.

4 findings · 3 studies
Chocolate syrup, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2009–2017	median.
Chocolate syrup, as soldWHO GEMS/Food	PAHO2003–2010	median.
Chocolate syrup, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.
Chocolate syrup, as soldSpungen et al. 2024	all samples2018–2020	mean.

1 finding · 1 study
Chocolate syrup, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Chocolate syrup, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Chocolate syrup, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Chocolate syrup, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

1 finding · 1 study
Chocolate syrup, as soldFDA Total Diet Study	1 collection regions2018–2020	median.

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 syrup Pb reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI chocolate syrup Pb reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold. Chocolate syrup, 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	9.4	12	16.8–18.8 (bounded)
Alternative weighting	9.4	12	18–19 (bounded)

21 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	18	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate syrup, 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–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-syrup-9eabe7e6775d:a4e09d7c6245

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 syrup Cd reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI chocolate syrup Cd reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold. Chocolate syrup, 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	13	17	25.5
Alternative weighting	13	17	26

20 reference units; 2 sampling families. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
WHO GEMS/Food	17	50%
FDA Total Diet Study	3	50%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate syrup, 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–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-syrup-458bcd51dc77:dac47af24149

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 syrup tAs reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI chocolate syrup tAs reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold. Chocolate syrup, 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	≤3	5.8	6.5
Alternative weighting	≤3	5.8	6.5

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate syrup, 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–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 syrup, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate syrup 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-syrup-4b3bb1b2b891:195e47c1afd6

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 syrup tHg reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI chocolate syrup tHg reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold. Chocolate syrup, 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	1.7
Alternative weighting	≤1	≤1	1.7

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate syrup, 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–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 syrup, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate syrup 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-syrup-7d25cac7776f:3bd231a0eace

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 syrup Ni reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI chocolate syrup Ni reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold. Chocolate syrup, 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	830	1000	1000
Alternative weighting	830	1000	1000

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate syrup, 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–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 syrup, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate syrup 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-syrup-b41a49351ccd:cd50cb4b82cb

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 syrup Cr reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI chocolate syrup Cr reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold. Chocolate syrup, 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	400	500	600
Alternative weighting	400	500	600

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate syrup, 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–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 syrup, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate syrup 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-syrup-057181b7c134:d0571829abcb

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 syrup U reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI chocolate syrup U reference · Chocolate syrup, as sold. Chocolate syrup, 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

3 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing family	Reference units	Weight
FDA Total Diet Study	3	100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for chocolate syrup, 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–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 syrup, as sold on this basis in the completed chocolate syrup 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

FDA Total Diet Study

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:chocolate-syrup-20bc262a30a3:9f2a58e0d599

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.

How metals reach chocolate syrup

No study in the library compared chocolate syrup from contaminated and ordinary settings, so the routes by which metals reach it are not measured here.

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in chocolate syrup, as sold pools 21 subgroup units from 2 sampling families, with a median of 12 µg/kg and a middle half spanning 9.4 (lower quartile) and between 16.8 and 18.8 µg/kg (upper quartile).^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →} For cadmium in chocolate syrup, as sold, the reference median was 17 µg/kg, with a middle half from 13 to 25.5 µg/kg across 20 units.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, chocolate syrup, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in PAHO (24.5 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (30.5 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Processing, cooking and preparation

No study in the library measured the same chocolate syrup before and after washing, peeling, drying or cooking for metals, so no processing effect can be stated. Heat does not destroy metals; cooking or drying changes a concentration by moving water or metal, not by removing the element.

Mitigation for chocolate syrup

Controls with evidence for chocolate syrup act at the stages below. Raise soil pH by liming where soils are acidic (evidence from cocoa): the code recommends liming toward pH 6 or above, for example 3 t/ha/year of dolomitic lime, and calls liming the most effective method found to date; no effect size is given.^{6Codex Alimentarius Commission · 2022Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Cadmium Contamination in Cocoa Beans (CXC 81-2022)FAO and WHO, 2023. Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice No. CXC 81-2022. Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. Rome.Read source →} Recognise that pressing concentrates cadmium in powder (evidence from cocoa): pressing sent all liquor cadmium into the cake; cocoa butter was below 1.5 µg/kg while powder held 111 µg/kg against 60 µg/kg in liquor.^{7Ferreira de Oliveira AP, Milani RF, Efraim P, Morgano MA, Tfouni SAV · 2021Cd and Pb in cocoa beans: Occurrence and effects of chocolate processingFood Control 119, 107455Read source →} Source low-cadmium origins and verify bean lots (evidence from cocoa): median bean cadmium was 55–94 µg/kg for Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Brazil, against 511–892 µg/kg for Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela; lead medians did not follow the same order.^{8Ahn, Timothy, Chaney, Rufus L., DiBartolomeis, Michael J., Ramtahal, Gideon · 2022Expert Investigation Related to Cocoa and Chocolate Products: Final ReportExpert Committee report submitted to As You Sow and the Settling Defendants under a California Proposition 65 Consent Judgment; Project Manager: Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG). Final Report dated March 28, 2022 (381 pp., including three technical attachments).Read source →}

Choose cocoa content with its cadmium implication in view (evidence from cocoa): median cadmium rose from 23 µg/kg in chocolate under 50% cocoa to 120, 190 and 250 µg/kg in successive higher-cocoa groups.^{9Kataoka Y, Watanabe T, Hayashi K, Akiyama H · 2018Surveillance of Cadmium Concentration in Chocolate and Cocoa Powder Products Distributed in JapanFood Hygiene and Safety ScienceRead source →} Enforce the Codex cocoa cadmium limits at lot release (evidence from cocoa): applying the Codex limits lowered cocoa’s average share of cadmium exposure from 2.2% to 1.5% and total cadmium exposure by 0.7% on average (up to 2.4%).^{10Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · 2022Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentWHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA)Read source →} Target soil pH and total soil cadmium when siting and managing farms (evidence from cocoa): in a model fitted to 892 compiled bean results, bean cadmium fell from about 1.65 to 1.0–1.1 mg/kg as soil pH rose from 5 to about 7; total soil cadmium and pH were the strongest predictors.^{11Wade J, Ac-Pangan M, Favoretto VR, Taylor AJ, Engeseth N, Margenot AJ · 2022Drivers of cadmium accumulation in Theobroma cacao L. beans: A quantitative synthesis of soil-plant relationships across the Cacao BeltPLOS ONERead source →}

About this table

ControlMaterialEffectsEvidence

Control

Material

Effects

Evidence

Raise soil pH by liming where soils are acidicsoil remediation · As reported

Cocoa

Cd · Context

Guidance

Codex CXC 81-2022

HMI source record · Original source

Official guidance; not an independent experimental dataset. Reused across actions without adding studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumGuidance; effect not measuredBean cadmiumLimed versus unlimed acidic soilsCocoa beansContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Guidance; no measured comparison in the code.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The code recommends liming toward pH 6 or above, for example 3 t/ha/year of dolomitic lime, and calls liming the most effective method found to date; no effect size is given.

Context	Selected control
Material	Cocoa farm soils (code of practice)
Stage	soil remediation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Acidic cadmium-bearing soils.
Tested scale	Guidance
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Effects on other metals, yield, flavour and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific results on the same form and basis.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Official or author guidance. Acidic cadmium-bearing soils.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching the bean or product, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Guidance; effect not measured	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Cocoa beans	Production section

No quantified effect in the code itself.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Acidic cadmium-bearing soils.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled intervention effect	Keep effect unquantified unless measured in beans or product.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Target soil pH and total soil cadmium when siting and managing farmssoil remediation · As reported

Cocoa

Cd · Decreased

1

Wade et al. 2022

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedLower modelled bean Cd at higher soil pHModelled bean cadmium (dry matter)Soil pH 5 versus about 7Cocoa beansModerate · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (1050 − 1650) / 1650 × 100 = -36.4%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Modelled bean cadmium at soil pH 5 versus about 7.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

In a model fitted to 892 compiled bean results, bean cadmium fell from about 1.65 to 1.0–1.1 mg/kg as soil pH rose from 5 to about 7; total soil cadmium and pH were the strongest predictors.

Context	Selected control
Material	Compiled bean and soil data across the cacao belt
Stage	soil remediation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Farms across Latin America and Africa represented in the compiled studies.
Tested scale	Compiled field data
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Effects on other metals, yield, flavour and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific results on the same form and basis.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Statistical model of compiled data. Farms across Latin America and Africa represented in the compiled studies.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching the bean or product, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower modelled bean Cd at higher soil pH	1650 → 1050 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Cocoa beans	Fig. 6

Model of observational data; not a liming trial.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Farms across Latin America and Africa represented in the compiled studies.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled intervention effect	Keep effect unquantified unless measured in beans or product.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Prefer low-cadmium genotypes where availablecultivation · As reported

Cocoa

Cd · Decreased

1

Arévalo-Gardini et al. 2017

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedLower Cd in Chuncho (observational)Mean bean cadmium (dry weight)CCN 51 versus ChunchoCocoa beansHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (170 − 900) / 900 × 100 = -81.1%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Genotypes grown in different regions; not a common-garden trial.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

The native Chuncho type averaged 0.17 mg/kg bean cadmium against 0.90 mg/kg for CCN 51 and 1.80 mg/kg for spontaneous hybrids.

Context	Selected control
Material	Beans from 70 Peruvian plantations
Stage	cultivation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Peru, 2014.
Tested scale	Field survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Effects on other metals, yield, flavour and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific results on the same form and basis.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational comparison. Peru, 2014.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching the bean or product, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower Cd in Chuncho (observational)	900 → 170 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Cocoa beans	Fig. 3

Genotype and region confounded.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Peru, 2014.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled intervention effect	Keep effect unquantified unless measured in beans or product.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Recognise that pressing concentrates cadmium in powderfood processing · As reported

Cocoa

Cd · Increased

1

Ferreira de Oliveira et al. 2021

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumIncreasedCd concentrates in powderCadmium by fractionLiquor versus powderCocoa productsHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (111 − 60) / 60 × 100 = 85.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Liquor versus its butter and powder fractions.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Pressing sent all liquor cadmium into the cake; cocoa butter was below 1.5 µg/kg while powder held 111 µg/kg against 60 µg/kg in liquor.

Context	Selected control
Material	One Bahia bean batch processed at pilot scale
Stage	food processing
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	One pilot batch.
Tested scale	Pilot plant
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Effects on other metals, yield, flavour and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific results on the same form and basis.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Measured comparison. One pilot batch.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching the bean or product, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Cd concentrates in powder	60 → 111 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Cocoa products	Processing section

Single batch; mass balance only.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

One pilot batch.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled intervention effect	Keep effect unquantified unless measured in beans or product.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Source low-cadmium origins and verify bean lotssourcing and procurement · As reported

Cocoa

Cd · Decreased

Pb · Increased

1

As You Sow 2022

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedLower Cd in West African beans (observational)Median bean cadmiumEcuador versus Côte d’IvoireCocoa beansHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (60 − 511) / 511 × 100 = -88.3%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

LeadIncreasedPb not lower in West African beansMedian bean leadEcuador versus Côte d’IvoireCocoa beansHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (25 − 10) / 10 × 100 = 150.0%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Bean origins tested by the same companies.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Median bean cadmium was 55–94 µg/kg for Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon and Brazil, against 511–892 µg/kg for Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela; lead medians did not follow the same order.

Context	Selected control
Material	Industry bean testing by growing origin
Stage	sourcing and procurement
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Industry testing, 2015–2019.
Tested scale	Industry dataset
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Effects on other metals, yield, flavour and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific results on the same form and basis.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational comparison. Industry testing, 2015–2019.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching the bean or product, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower Cd in West African beans (observational)	511 → 60 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Cocoa beans	Attachment 1 origin tables
Lead (Pb)	As reported	Pb not lower in West African beans	10 → 25 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Cocoa beans	Attachment 1 origin tables

Blinded industry data without QA details.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Industry testing, 2015–2019.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled intervention effect	Keep effect unquantified unless measured in beans or product.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Choose cocoa content with its cadmium implication in viewproduct formulation · As reported

Cocoa

Cd · Decreased

1

Kataoka et al. 2018

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumDecreasedLower Cd at lower cocoa contentMedian chocolate cadmium≥80% versus <50% cocoaChocolate as soldHigh · HMI calculates the relative change from the retained source means: (23 − 250) / 250 × 100 = -90.8%. This is a descriptive contrast of means; no confidence interval or significance test is inferred.

Cocoa-content groups in one retail survey.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Median cadmium rose from 23 µg/kg in chocolate under 50% cocoa to 120, 190 and 250 µg/kg in successive higher-cocoa groups.

Context	Selected control
Material	140 chocolates sold in Japan
Stage	product formulation
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands · Consumers
Period	As reported
Conditions	Japan, 2015–2016.
Tested scale	Retail survey
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Effects on other metals, yield, flavour and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific results on the same form and basis.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Observational comparison. Japan, 2015–2016.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching the bean or product, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Lower Cd at lower cocoa content	250 → 23 µg/kg	Absolute values unextracted	Chocolate as sold	Table 5

Lowers cadmium per gram of product, not per gram of cocoa.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Japan, 2015–2016.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled intervention effect	Keep effect unquantified unless measured in beans or product.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Enforce the Codex cocoa cadmium limits at lot releaselot acceptance and release · As reported

Cocoa

Cd · Context

1

JECFA 2022

HMI source record · Original source

One dataset family. Linked analytes, repeated seasons and reports are not independent studies.

Effects and comparators

CadmiumTotal exposure 0.7% lower on averageCocoa share of dietary cadmiumWith versus without limitsDietary exposureContext · No supported numerical treatment contrast is retained for this finding. A direction, market association, source-selection strategy or guidance statement alone does not establish a percentage change.

Exposure with and without the limits applied to occurrence data.

How magnitude is classified

HMI editorial magnitude bands: Low is a change greater than 0% and below 25%; Moderate is 25% to below 50%; High is 50% or more, relative to that control’s own comparator. Direction is shown separately. These are descriptive display bands, not validated efficacy cutoffs, occurrence-baseline positions, statistical significance, evidence certainty, safety or net benefit. A range spanning bands retains both labels; a qualitative label has no implied percentage.

Control in context

Applying the Codex limits lowered cocoa’s average share of cadmium exposure from 2.2% to 1.5% and total cadmium exposure by 0.7% on average (up to 2.4%).

Context	Selected control
Material	Cocoa products in international diets
Stage	lot acceptance and release
Audience	Ingredient suppliers · Brands
Period	As reported
Conditions	Global cluster diets.
Tested scale	Exposure model
Sample units	Source sampling units; no independent intervention units unless stated.
Trade-offs	Effects on other metals, yield, flavour and cost not quantified unless stated.
Verification	Confirm with lot-specific results on the same form and basis.

Design, applicability and operating conditions

Statistical model of compiled data. Global cluster diets.

One study family.

As reported by the source

Reduces metal reaching the bean or product, or detects it before release.

Source measurements and linked outcomes

Analyte	Period	Effect	Converted values	Original means (SD)	Basis	Locator
Cadmium (Cd)	As reported	Total exposure 0.7% lower on average	Numerical baseline not extracted	Absolute values unextracted	Dietary exposure	Table 7

Modelled; testing detects and excludes, it does not remove cadmium.

No percentage calculated unless shown in outcomes.

Not applicable unless stated.

Trade-offs and implementation

Not assessed.

Not quantified.

Not assessed.

Applicability and verification

Global cluster diets.

Lot testing.

See source.

Extraction limits and next actions

Unresolved field	Next action
controlled intervention effect	Keep effect unquantified unless measured in beans or product.

Provenance and assessment

As disclosed by the source.

Source facts and HMI calculations are distinguished above. These selected source findings do not constitute a systematic review; outcome-level appraisal remains incomplete.

Trade-offs and limits of controls

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 syrup for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead ranged from 1 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food) to 3,000 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →} Reporting limits for cadmium ranged from 1 µg/kg (FDA Total Diet Study) to 7.81 µg/kg (WHO GEMS/Food), so a non-detect from a less sensitive method says much less.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}

A useful lot result names the form, the basis and a quantification limit well below the limit that applies.

Buying and verifying chocolate syrup

No maximum level for metals in chocolate syrup was verified from primary text for this page; buyers should confirm the limit that applies in the destination market.

Exposure from chocolate syrup

No source in the library converted chocolate syrup 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 syrup was decided on its content: 5 occurrence extracted, 5 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 syrup FAQs

What heavy metals are found in chocolate syrup?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury, nickel, chromium and uranium in chocolate syrup, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}^{2U.S. Food and Drug Administration · 2022FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsFDA Total Diet StudyRead source →}^{3Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, Suzanne Fitzpatrick · 2019Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Food Additives & Contaminants: Part ARead source →}^{4Spungen JH, et al. · 2024Infants’ 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 syrup, as sold from 74 results in 1 reporting region, with a subgroup median of 11.1 µg/kg.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exportsGEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment ProgrammeRead source →}

Which regions report the lowest levels in chocolate syrup?

Among GEMS/Food reporting regions, chocolate syrup, as sold had the lowest cadmium subgroup median in PAHO (24.5 µg/kg) and the highest in PAHO (30.5 µg/kg); reporting regions are markets, not growing areas.^{1World Health Organization · 2026GEMS/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 exportsWorld Health Organization · GEMS/Food Contamination Monitoring and Assessment Programme · 2026 · extranet.who.intDataset
FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical ResultsU.S. Food and Drug Administration · FDA Total Diet Study · 2022 · www.fda.govDataset
Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16Alexandra Gavelek, Judith Spungen, Dana Hoffman-Pennesi, Brenna Flannery, Laurie Dolan, Sherri Dennis, et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2019 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2019.1681595Peer-reviewed
Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020Spungen JH and et al. · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2024 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2024.2396910Peer-reviewed
Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16Judith H. Spungen · Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A · 2019 · doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2019.1595170Peer-reviewed
Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Cadmium Contamination in Cocoa Beans (CXC 81-2022)Codex Alimentarius Commission · FAO and WHO, 2023. Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice No. CXC 81-2022. Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme. Rome · 2022 · doi.org/10.4060/cc5333enGovernment
Cd and Pb in cocoa beans: Occurrence and effects of chocolate processingFerreira de Oliveira AP, Milani RF, Efraim P, Morgano MA, and Tfouni SAV · Food Control 119, 107455 · 2021 · doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107455Peer-reviewed
Expert Investigation Related to Cocoa and Chocolate Products: Final ReportAhn, Timothy, Chaney, Rufus L., DiBartolomeis, Michael J., and Ramtahal, Gideon · Expert Committee report submitted to As You Sow and the Settling Defendants under a California Proposition 65 Consent Judgment; Project Manager: Eastern Research Group, Inc. (ERG). Final Report dated March 28, 2022 (381 pp., including three technical attachments) · 2022Industry
Surveillance of Cadmium Concentration in Chocolate and Cocoa Powder Products Distributed in JapanKataoka Y, Watanabe T, Hayashi K, and Akiyama H · Food Hygiene and Safety Science · 2018 · doi.org/10.3358/shokueishi.59.269Peer-reviewed
Cadmium: dietary exposure assessmentJoint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives · WHO Food Additives Series, No. 82 (Safety evaluation of certain contaminants in food, prepared by the 91st meeting of JECFA) · 2022 · www.who.intGovernment
Drivers of cadmium accumulation in Theobroma cacao L. beans: A quantitative synthesis of soil-plant relationships across the Cacao BeltWade J, Ac-Pangan M, Favoretto VR, Taylor AJ, Engeseth N, and Margenot AJ · PLOS ONE · 2022 · doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261989Peer-reviewed

Sources

Browse Chocolate syrup 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 syrup record in the library: 5 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts and stage-led controls.

Graph View

1

GEMS/Food Contaminants database heavy-metal exports

2

FY2018-FY2020 TDS Elements Analytical Results

3

Lead exposures in older children (males and females 7-17 years), women of childbearing age (females 16-49 years) and adults (males and females 18+ years): FDA total diet study 2014-16

4

Infants’ and young children’s dietary exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2018-2020

5

Children’s exposures to lead and cadmium: FDA total diet study 2014-16

Food and Drug Administration

6

Codex Alimentarius Commission

Code of Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Cadmium Contamination in Cocoa Beans (CXC 81-2022)

7

Cd and Pb in cocoa beans: Occurrence and effects of chocolate processing

8

Expert Investigation Related to Cocoa and Chocolate Products: Final Report

California Proposition 65

9

Surveillance of Cadmium Concentration in Chocolate and Cocoa Powder Products Distributed in Japan

10

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

Cadmium: dietary exposure assessment

11

Drivers of cadmium accumulation in Theobroma cacao L. beans: A quantitative synthesis of soil-plant relationships across the Cacao Belt