Cadmium in Cocoa
Did you know that Cadmium is a heavy metal responsible for serious diseases for humans and that cocoa plant absorbs the Cadmium that exists in soils?
The Europe Union Cadmium regulation entered into force this year and it contains specifics considerations for Cocoa products.
If you are a chocolate maker in Europe, you may be interested in low cadmium cocoa beans! If this is your case, please read this blog:
What is Cadmium?
Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that can reach the soil naturally or by anthropogenic activities. Cadmium accumulates in the body and is responsible for serious diseases for humans; since it is toxic, cumulative in the organism, of high permanence and is mobilized through water and air.
The Europe Union Cadmium regulation
As of January 1, 2019, the regulation that considers the maximum content of cadmium in various cocoa products in a range of 0.10 to 0.80 mg / kg (WTO) entered into force for the entire Europe Union.
The Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, published in the Official Journal of the Europe Union, states about cocoa: “Since cadmium levels in cocoa products are related to their cocoa content, it is appropriate to establish different maximum levels of cadmium for products containing different percentages of cocoa”.
According to the regulation, the maximum content of cadmium for each cocoa product is:
– Milk chocolate containing < 30 % total dry cocoa solids: 0,10 mg/kg
– Chocolate containing < 50 % total dry cocoa solids; milk chocolate containing ≥ 30 % total dry cocoa solids: 0,30 mg/kg
– Chocolate containing ≥ 50 % total dry cocoa solids: 0,80 mg/kg
– Cocoa powder sold to the final consumer or present as an ingredient in sweetened cocoa powder sold to the final consumer (cocoa drinks): 0,60 mg/kg
Are you looking for low cadmium cocoa beans?
In Nicaragua, the production of our fine cocoa occurs in the mountainous areas of northern Nicaragua, specifically Matagalpa and Jinotega. Through an analysis made by Intertek in Germany, it has been realized that our Nicaraguan cocoa beans have a percentage of Cadmium well below the maximum allowed by the European Union.
We invite you to explore our Nicaraguan cocoa varieties flavor profiles and don’t hesitate to ask us for our cadmium analysis report!
