Do You Test Cacao & Cocoa for Heavy Metals? | Honest to Goodness

Do you test your Cacao and Cocoa for heavy metals?

Yes, we do — thoroughly and regularly.

At Honest to Goodness, food safety is our top priority. That’s why we carry out routine testing for heavy metals in both our raw cacao and finished cocoa products to ensure they meet, or exceed, Australian food safety standards.

What do we test for?
Cadmium is tested on every single batch of raw cacao/cocoa before it leaves our supplier. These results are documented in a certificate of analysis, which we’re happy to share with our manufacturing customers.
Lead, arsenic, and mercury are also tested regularly, guided by our internal risk assessment program, so we can be confident that our products remain within safe limits.

What are the standards?
Australia sets strict limits for heavy metals in food under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (FSANZ) – Schedule 19. For example, the maximum allowable level of cadmium in finished chocolate products is 0.5 mg/kg. While there aren’t specific limits for lead, arsenic or mercury in cocoa products, all reputable food businesses must ensure their products meet general safety and compliance requirements.

While heavy metals in cacao are a valid concern, our commitment to responsible sourcing, rigorous testing, and full transparency means you can enjoy our cacao and cocoa products with confidence and peace of mind.

You can find our more information on this topic in our blog post 

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