Consumer Reports finds more lead, cadmium in chocolate, urges change at Hershey

NEW YORK, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Consumer Reports on Wednesday said it has found "concerning" levels of lead and cadmium in a new array of chocolate products, and renewed its call for Hershey to reduce the amounts of heavy metals its chocolate contains.

The magazine said 16 of the 48 chocolate products from various makers that its scientists tested recently in seven categories - dark chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and mixes for brownies, chocolate cake and hot chocolate - contained potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium or both.

All 48 products contained detectable amounts of the metals, and milk chocolate bars, which have fewer cocoa solids, was the only category that did not contain excess amounts, the report found.

Consumer Reports has said long-term exposure to the metals can result in nervous system problems, immune system suppression and kidney damage, with greater danger to pregnant women and young children.

Among the products found to contain excessive metal content were a dark chocolate bar and hot chocolate mix from Walmart, cocoa powder from Hershey's and Droste, semi-sweet chocolate chips from Target, and hot chocolate mixes from Trader Joe's, Nestle and Starbucks.

The Consumer Reports testing followed its findings last December that 23 of 28 tested dark chocolate bars contained excessive lead or cadmium, including Hershey products sold under its own brand and the Lily's and Scharffen Berger brands.

The magazine is again petitioning Hershey to reduce heavy metals in its chocolate. More than 75,000 consumers signed an earlier petition.

Consumer Reports food policy director Brian Ronholm said Hershey, as a "leading and popular brand," should commit to eliminating "dangerous levels" of heavy metals from its chocolate products, making them safer for consumers.

In March, Hershey Chief Financial Officer Steve Voskuil said his company was looking to reduce levels of lead and cadmium, a "naturally occurring" ingredient that could vary based on which countries its chocolate came from.

"We would love to eradicate it completely," Voskuil said.

Hershey referred a request for comment to the National Confectioners Association.

Christopher Gindlesperger, a spokesman for the trade group, said: "Chocolate and cocoa are safe to eat and can be enjoyed as treats as they have been for centuries."

Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York Editing by Bill Berkrot