For several months, alerts have been sounded on the risks linked to cadmium, a toxic metal largely present in the environment. The UFC – Que Choisir and the ANSES had already pointed out, but the subject returns today to the front of the stage.
Cadmium: a toxic metal that has frightened in our plates
Cadmium is a heavy metal naturally present in the earth’s crust. It accumulates in agricultural soils due to the massive use of phosphate fertilizers, of which it constitutes frequent impurity. Result: vegetables, cereals, tubers and cocoa beans absorb it without distinction.
At the beginning of June, liberal doctors of the Regional Union of Health Professionals (URPS) of Île – France published an open letter alerting on invisible but massive contamination. They speak of a “”. In their viewfinder: the disturbing presence of cadmium in foods of current consumption such as bread, potatoes, pasta, vegetables, but also in certain chocolates.
ANSES (National Health Safety Agency) has set the reference toxicological value to “”. Beyond this threshold, health risks increases. However, the daily exposure cumulative by food sometimes exceeds this value, especially in children.
Chocolate, bread, cereals, potatoes … We consume more than you think
It is not only chocolate that is concerned. The UFC – Que Choisir has tested many products and today calls for vigilance. The association notes that “”.
But cocoa is only a link in a larger chain: bread, potatoes, pasta and vegetables also represent an important part of the exhibition. The problem comes from the cumulative effect: several small doses contained in harmless foods can exceed, together, the fixed safety threshold.
ANSES also recalls that certain organic products can be contaminated if they are cultivated in areas with a high natural concentration or polluted by human activity. The cocoa beans from Latin America, for example, are known to contain more cadmium due to the geological composition of the soil.
Concrete health risks and practical recommendations
Chronic cadmium exposure can cause serious health effects. The International Center for Research on Cancer (Circ) class as a proven carcinogen. ANSES believes that this metal is “”.
In France, according to the UFC study, some black chocolates analyzed contain between 0.022 and 0.458 mg/kg of cadmium. For an adult consuming an entire tablet of 100 g, this can represent up to nine times the recommended maximum dose. In children, the effects are even more worrying.
To limit risks, here are some simple recommendations:
- Vary your diet to avoid repeated cadmium sources
- Limit cocoa products from Latin America
- Favor vegetables from diversified crops
- Reduce the consumption of offal, crustaceans, and ultra-transformed cereal products
- Adapt the quantities of chocolate according to age and weight
For the UFC – Que Choosing, the priority remains “”.
FAQ – Cadmium in food: the 5 questions that everyone is asking
1. Is cadmium present in all chocolates?
No, not all chocolates contain cadmium in worrying quantities. The contents vary according to the origin of cocoa beans and their concentration. Dark chocolate is the most exposed, especially if it comes from Latin America. White chocolate is very little concerned because it does not contain a solid cocoa.
2. Why do you find cadmium in foods like bread or potatoes?
These foods grow in agricultural soils sometimes enriched with phosphate fertilizers containing cadmium. The plants absorb this metal naturally present in the ground, which is then found in processed products.
3. Is cadmium detectable to taste or smell?
No. Cadmium is completely undetectable for the consumer. It has neither taste nor smell, and does not change the appearance of food. Only laboratory analyzes can reveal its presence.
4. What are the effects of cadmium on health?
Cadmium is a toxic metal that accumulates in the body over time. It can cause renal, bone, cardiovascular damage, and increase the risk of certain cancers. He is also recognized as toxic to reproduction.
5. How to easily limit your exposure to cadmium?
The best strategy is to diversify your diet. Reducing ultra-transformed products, varying sources of starchy foods, and limiting excess dark chocolate are simple but effective gestures. The geographic origin of the products also plays a key role.
