The JRC releases a chocolate Certified Reference Material
28 March 2018The JRC has released a new Certified Reference Material (CRM) ERM-BD512 Dark Chocolate. Certified values are given for cadmium and 3 other elements.
Chocolate and other sweetened cocoa products used in cocoa beverages are frequently consumed by children and adolescents and represent one of the main sources of cadmium exposure for these age groups. Cadmium is known to cause kidney damage. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives concluded that there is a need to reduce exposure to cadmium at the population level.
To address this concern a new amendment (EC) No 488/2014 to the Commission regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 was passed to establish among others new maximum levels for cadmium in chocolate and cocoa products.
This new CRM was produced from commercially available chocolate, with cadmium content of about half of the new regulatory limit. It will allow laboratories to control analytical measurements made to ensure food safety.
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