WASHINGTON, July 31,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to a
George Washington University study on
chocolate and cocoa published in the Frontiers in Nutrition
journal, the National Confectioners Association issued the
following statement:
NCA STATEMENT
"Chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as
treats as they have been for centuries. Food safety and product
quality remain our highest priorities and we remain dedicated to
being transparent and socially responsible."
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
NCA's Your Chocolate, Your Questions: Lead & Cadmium
One-Pager – This resource is intended to provide
additional context and can be published / linked to directly.
On the study's conclusions and chocolate
consumption: The GWU study concludes that "...if
contaminated products as a whole are consumed in small amounts and
infrequently by most, these contaminants may not be a public health
concern..." Chocolate and cocoa products fit this description,
according to the FDA (see below). Consumers understand that
chocolate and candy are occasional treats and not
center-of-the-plate foods. According to the CDC's National Health
and Nutrition Survey (NHANES), people in the U.S. enjoy chocolate
and candy 2-3 times per week, averaging just 40 calories per day
and about one teaspoon of added sugar per day.
What the FDA said: "While the presence of cadmium
and lead in chocolate has been the subject of considerable media
attention, experts from around the world have found that chocolate
is a minor source of exposure to these contaminants
internationally."
Source: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/67265fe2/G9frBpzhiE_Pt7Bgm002Ng?u=https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-safety/a-third-of-chocolate-products-are-high-in-heavy-metals-a4844566398/
On our California Proposition 65 settlement and the expert
investigation/final report: In 2018, the chocolate and
cocoa industry agreed to a Consent Judgment in California. The
Superior Court of the State of
California, San Francisco
County granted a motion to enter the Consent Judgment on
February 14, 2018, which remains in
effect. The Consent Judgment established concentration
levels for both lead and cadmium that supersede the OEHHA MADLs for
cocoa and chocolate products. In August 2022, we
released with As You Sow a three-year study on this subject. The
full report and our joint reaction can be found
here: https://link.edgepilot.com/s/c1571cea/HJiMoBsKCEW--kya_t9xNw?u=https://candyusa.com/news/research-reveals-ways-lead-and-cadmium-in-chocolate-may-be-reduced/
About the National Confectioners Association (NCA):
The National Confectioners Association is the leading
trade organization for the $48
billion U.S. confectionery industry. NCA advocates for an
environment that enables candy makers to thrive and works to ensure
that chocolate, candy, gum and mints are celebrated for their
contributions to culture, society, the economy and everyday moments
of joy. The industry employs nearly 58,000 workers in
more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities across all 50 states and
supports an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. The U.S.
confectionery industry has made a commitment to
increasing transparency, providing more portion guidance options
and educating consumers about the role of confectionery in a happy,
balanced lifestyle. Learn more at CandyUSA.com or follow
NCA on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Kapolka
elizabeth.kapolka@candyusa.com
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SOURCE National Confectioners Association