Is your favorite dark chocolate bar harboring a hidden health risk? A new study published on July 31 in Frontiers in Nutrition suggests that some popular dark chocolate products may contain concerning levels of heavy metals, particularly lead and cadmium.

The study, conducted by researchers from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and ConsumerLab.com, analyzed 72 dark chocolate and cocoa products sold in the United States from 2014 to 2022. Their findings shed light on a potential health concern that has been bubbling beneath the surface of the chocolate industry for years.

To save money in the kitchen, I buy spices and herbs in bulk and create my own seasoning mixes. This strategy also allows me to personalize my seasoning mixes based on my body’s individual dietary needs. This is one of my favorite seasoning mixes for roasted chicken.