Consumer Group Picks This Dark Chocolate Over Nestlé and Côte d’Or!

In recent years, enjoying a square of dark chocolate was still seen as a healthy habit. Packed with magnesium and antioxidants, it was the ultimate pleasure and health food. However, the narrative has shifted. Chocolate is now criticized for its high cadmium content, a new public enemy. “It is a carcinogenic heavy metal, toxic to the kidneys and bones, and suspected to cause developmental neurologic disorders when fetuses are exposed,” states Que Choisir Ensemble. But can just one or two squares really pose a risk? According to ANSES, adults should not exceed 21 µg/day and children 7 µg/day. Based on these figures, nutritionists recommend limiting intake to one or two squares daily. Yet, beyond quantity, the choice of chocolate also matters. Given the varying levels among different brands, the association has conducted laboratory analyses on several bars. Among those tested, one particular bar scored the highest… and it might not be the one you’d expect!

Cadmium levels, pesticides, taste, and texture—Que Choisir Ensemble evaluated 23 different chocolate bars on multiple health and pleasure criteria. Contrary to what one might assume, the healthiest options are neither organic nor fair-trade. Ironically, chocolates made from organic cocoa beans often have higher cadmium levels. These typically come from Latin American countries like Peru, Ecuador, or Colombia, where the soils are especially polluted, the association explains.

Neither organic nor fair-trade, the top-rated chocolate bar (scoring 16.1 out of 20) is a mainstream product readily available in supermarkets: Lindt Excellence 70%. According to experts, it boasts excellent organoleptic quality (texture and taste) and a relatively impeccable composition: Que Choisir Ensemble found no problematic ingredients or excessive contaminant levels.

Another advantage is the price. The bar is priced around 2.60 euros in various stores, a rate that remains quite reasonable especially considering the inflation on cocoa!