Time to read:
The following report is 1 of 2 topics in toxicology – news article validation assignments I completed for a 4th year university nutrition class (NUTR*4510 – Toxicology, Nutrition, and Functional Foods).
This assignment focuses on comparing the claims made in a news article with the referenced scientific article to assess if the news article accurately states scientific claims for the public to read and understand.
This report was originally written in November 2024.
Sources used:
News article I reviewed: Organic and regular dark chocolate contaminated by lead and cadmium, study
finds | CNN
Research paper I reviewed: Frontiers | A multi-year heavy metal analysis of 72 dark chocolate and cocoa
products in the USA
Summary of the Topic:
The CNN news article and the accompanying Frontiers research paper by Hands et al. (2024) both shone a spotlight on the potential toxicological risks associated with consuming cocoa-containing products such as dark chocolate. Both sources discussed the alarming presence of xenobiotics including lead, cadmium, and investigated the presence of arsenic in cocoa products, particularly organic and regular dark chocolate. The risks involved with exposure to the xenobiotics- lead and cadmium- include cancer, chronic disease, or reproductive and developmental issues, especially in children. The research paper also noted that cadmium levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, kidney dysfunction, cognitive deficit, diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and other conditions. Concerns of heavy metal exposure mainly apply to sensitive groups such as children, pregnant/lactating women, and the medically compromised. Exposure to such xenobiotics through dark chocolate and cocoa products is primarily through the oral- gastrointestinal tract route as such products are consumed orally. Lead and cadmium levels are more of a concern here because, from the 72 cocoa products tested in the scientific study, 43% of the products exceeded the California Proposition 65 (Prop 65) limits for lead, and 35% exceeded the Prop 65 limits for cadmium. There were also no significant levels of arsenic found in the cocoa products, and organic products had higher levels of cadmium and lead than regular products.
Comparison of the News Article with the Scientific Research:
There are a number of main takeaways from the research paper by Hands et al. (2024), including that of the 72 cocoa
products, 43% of the products exceed Prop 65 maximum allowable dose levels (MADLs) for lead concentrations, 35% exceed the cadmium Prop 65 MADLs, and 0% exceed Prop 65 MADLs for arsenic. Interestingly, the authors also noted that 97.2% of products fall below the US FDA IRL limits established for lead, contrasting between the results when different measures are used. Also, the median concentrations of each metal tested were lower than Prop 65 MADLs, indicating a possible outlier effect on the data. In other words, the heavy metal levels in over 50% of the products tested, might not be a substantial risk for the average person when consumed as a single serving. Importantly, it was noted that consuming some of the products, or more than one serving per day in addition to heavy metals from non-cocoa sources, may result in exposure that would surpass the Prop 65 MADLs. The researchers also found that organic cocoa products had a significantly higher chance of testing for higher levels of cadmium and lead, and the number of trade certifications didn’t have a significant effect on heavy metal levels.
When it comes to the news article, it discusses the percentage of cocoa products that surpass the Prop 65 MADLs, and that organic dark chocolate products have some of the highest levels of heavy metals in the products tested. This reporting was accurate and matched what was in the study, however I think they should’ve added more of the nuanced findings as well, so consumers can get a more comprehensive understanding of what the results actually mean in terms of risk analysis. The article should’ve included that 97.2% of products fall below the US FDA IRL limits for lead, and that the median concentrations of each metal were lower than Prop 65 MADLs. If presented clearly, this would better educate the reader by letting them know that these levels of heavy metals, although still concerning, might not be a significant risk for the average person when consumed as a single serving. Although this was informally mentioned, I think that having a more evidence-based explanation would prevent intense emotional opinions from forming. Another improvement I would add would be that the study also found that the number of trade certifications on products didn’t significantly affect the levels of heavy metals. I would add this to increase a consumer’s awareness such that, in this case, spending more money for these certifications doesn’t protect against exposure to these metals, especially for individuals from more biologically sensitive groups, such as pregnant/lactating women, children, the medically compromised, and frequent dark chocolate consumers. On the contrary, I appreciate that the news article included warnings that consumers from biologically sensitive groups should be more wary of these heavy metals. Overall, the news article did an adequate job presenting some major findings and helping readers of different backgrounds understand the risks.
Reflection:
The assignment was very helpful in helping me practice utilizing my critical thinking and analysis skills in evaluating a news article written by a popular news source (CNN) for any misinformation or discrepancies. This assignment gave me a chance to analyze and assess a news source for their interpretation and knowledge translation of a scientific study. I also got to enhance my written communication skills through formulating and communicating my thoughts through writing this report. Knowledge translation is important for accurately conveying complex, scientific findings and literature to educate people who may not be well versed in such fields. Effectively communicating scientific information to the public can greatly influence policy and public perception because if misinformation spreads it can lead to the formation of radical, extreme opinions among the public that can persist and influence policy. This creates great importance for effective scientific communication and knowledge translation.
References:
Hands, J. M., Anderson, M. L., Cooperman, T., Balsky, J. E., Frame, L. A. (2024). A multi-year heavy metal analysis of 72 dark chocolate and cocoa products in the USA. Frontiers In Nutrition, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1366231.
LaMotte, S. (2024, July 31). Organic and regular dark chocolate contaminated by lead and cadmium, study finds. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/31/health/cacao-dark-chocolate-lead-heavy-metals-wellness/index.html
Thank you for reading to the end, and I hope you found this report beneficial and insightful!