Is Lily's Dark Chocolate High in Heavy Metals? An Analysis of Test Results

January 9, 2026 •

2 min read

In December 2022, a Consumer Reports investigation revealed that some dark chocolate products, including certain bars from Lily's, contained elevated levels of lead and cadmium. These findings brought attention to the issue of heavy metals in chocolate and prompted concerns among health-conscious consumers.

Quick Summary

A 2022 Consumer Reports study found that specific Lily's dark chocolate varieties contain higher-than-recommended levels of heavy metals, lead, and cadmium, according to California's standards. These tests highlight potential contamination sources and risks for frequent consumers.

Key Points

High Levels Detected: A 2022 Consumer Reports test found that Lily's Extra Dark (70% cocoa) and Extremely Dark (85% cocoa) contained elevated levels of lead and cadmium.
Exceeded California Standards: The detected heavy metal levels in Lily's bars surpassed California's Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADL), which are considered protective public health standards.
Contamination Varies by Metal: Cadmium primarily comes from the soil and is absorbed by the cacao plant, while lead contamination often occurs during the post-harvest drying of cocoa beans.
Risks for Vulnerable Groups: Heavy metal exposure poses significant risks, particularly for pregnant individuals and children, affecting development and potentially causing long-term health issues like kidney damage.
Mitigate Exposure: Consumers can reduce risk by choosing lower-cacao percentage chocolate, diversifying brands, and treating chocolate as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.
Industry Response: Following the negative test results, Hershey's (Lily's parent company) was subject to a class-action lawsuit and indicated it is exploring options to reduce heavy metal content.

The Consumer Reports Investigation and Lily's Bars

In late 2022, Consumer Reports tested 28 dark chocolate bars, finding potentially harmful levels of lead, cadmium, or both in 23 of them based on California's Maximum Allowable Dose Levels (MADL). Specific Lily's chocolate products were identified as having concerning levels. Lily's Extra Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa contained 144% of the MADL for lead, while Lily's Extremely Dark Chocolate 85% Cocoa had 143% of the MADL for lead and 101% for cadmium. Following these results, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Hershey Company, which owns Lily's. Hershey stated it is evaluating ways to reduce these levels.

How Lead and Cadmium Get into Chocolate

Heavy metals can enter chocolate through the cacao plant and processing.

Cadmium: Absorbed from the soil by the cacao plant roots, concentrating in the beans. Levels vary based on soil composition.
Lead: Often contaminates beans after harvest, typically during open-air drying when dust and soil settle on the shells.

The Health Risks of Heavy Metal Exposure

Long-term exposure to heavy metals, even at low levels, poses health risks, especially for pregnant individuals and young children.

Risks include:

Neurological issues: Impaired brain development in children.
Kidney damage: Linked to chronic cadmium exposure.
Cardiovascular disease: Associated with both lead and cadmium.
Cancer: Cadmium is a probable human carcinogen.

How Lily's Compares to Other Brands

Consumer Reports' testing showed varying heavy metal levels across brands. Here's how specific Lily's bars compared to others tested in December 2022:


Brand & Product	Lead (% of MADL)	Cadmium (% of MADL)	Overall Rating
Lily's Extra Dark 70% Cocoa	144%	42%	High Lead
Lily's Extremely Dark 85% Cocoa	143%	101%	High Both
Ghirardelli Intense Dark 86% Cacao	36%	39%	Relatively Low
Trader Joe's The Dark Chocolate Lover's 85% Cacao	127%	229%	High Both
Theo Organic Extra Dark 85% Cocoa	140%	189%	High Both
Mast Organic Dark Chocolate 80% Cacao	14%	40%	Relatively Low

Tips for Minimizing Heavy Metal Exposure

To reduce exposure to heavy metals in chocolate:

Lower Cacao Percentage: Choose chocolates with less cocoa.
'Organic' Not a Guarantee: Certifications like organic or fair trade don't consistently mean lower heavy metals.
Vary Brands: Avoid consistent exposure from one source.
Moderation is Key: Enjoy dark chocolate as an occasional treat.
Check Test Results: Look for updated test results from reputable sources.

More details on the Consumer Reports investigation can be found on their campaign page.

Conclusion

Tests indicate certain Lily's dark chocolate bars, specifically 70% and 85% cocoa, exceed California's safety standards for lead and cadmium. This issue affects the wider industry due to environmental and processing factors. While Hershey's is addressing the issue, consumers can mitigate risks by understanding contamination sources and taking precautions like choosing lower-cacao content products and diversifying their intake. Enjoying dark chocolate in moderation is also a key strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 2022 Consumer Reports test found elevated levels of heavy metals in Lily's Extra Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa) and Lily's Extremely Dark Chocolate (85% cocoa).

Consistent, long-term exposure to these heavy metals, even at low levels, can cause health issues such as neurological problems, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, and an increased risk of cancer.

Dark chocolate contains more cocoa solids than milk chocolate. Since heavy metals like lead and cadmium accumulate primarily in cocoa solids, dark chocolate naturally has a higher concentration.

Cadmium is absorbed from the soil by the cacao plant's roots as it grows. Lead typically contaminates the beans after harvest when they are dried in open areas and come into contact with polluted dust and soil.

No. Testing by Consumer Reports and others has shown no consistent link between organic or fair-trade certifications and lower heavy metal content. Contamination is primarily influenced by environmental and processing factors.

Experts suggest that occasional consumption of dark chocolate is unlikely to cause immediate harm. The risk comes from frequent, long-term consumption. You can minimize risk by enjoying dark chocolate in moderation and choosing brands with lower detected heavy metal levels.

You can reduce exposure by limiting daily intake, choosing brands with lower test results, and opting for chocolate with a lower cocoa percentage. Diversifying your chocolate choices also helps.