As part of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) routine testing of various food products, a survey released today found no detectable lead or low levels of lead in samples of candy, chocolate and cocoa powder. Health Canada determined that the low lead levels detected in this survey are not expected to pose a safety concern to consumers.
The CFIA tested a total of 297 samples for this targeted survey. Low lead levels were detected in 60 per cent of the samples ranging from 0.0032 to 0.2359 parts per million.
Lead is naturally present in the environment and also has many industrial uses. Canadians can be exposed to low levels of lead through food, drinking water, air, dust, soil, and consumer products. The concentrations of lead reported in this survey are comparable to those in similar types of foods available in the Canadian market, suggesting that the lead concentrations in these types of products may be as low as reasonably achievable. Frequent consumption of the products included in this survey is not expected to represent a health risk.
No product recalls were warranted given the lack of health concern.
